Environmental Testing
Radon (Rn)
The EPA’s Position on Radon: Radon gas is considered a class A carcinogen by the American Medical Association. Prolonged exposure to high levels of Radon gas may cause lung cancer. Millions of homes and buildings contain high levels of radon gas. The EPA’s efforts are directed at locating the homes with high levels and encouraging remediation. As a means of prevention, the EPA and the Office of the Surgeon General recommend that all homes below the third floor be tested for Radon. Because Radon is invisible and odorless, a simple test is the only way to determine if a home has high radon levels. There are a variety of Radon reduction techniques that will lower the Radon levels in one’s home.
In brief, our Radon testing service consists of electronic measuring of the radon level, barometric pressure, temperature, movement, moisture, on an hourly basis for a minimum 48 hour exposure to yield the average levels in your home. White Glove is licensed by the Illinois Department of Nuclear Safety to conduct radon testing.
Health Effects From Exposure to Radon. No immediate symptoms. Radon is the second highest cause of lung cancer in the U.S., estimated to contribute to between 7,000 and 30,000 deaths each year. Smokers are at higher risk of developing Radon-induced lung cancer.Radon Levels in Homes: Based on a national residential radon survey completed in 1991. The average indoor radon level is 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) in the United States. The average outdoor level is about 0.4 pCi/L. A reading of 4.0 or higher
Steps to Reduce Exposure to Radon: Test your home for radon — it’s easy and inexpensive. Fix your home if your radon level is 4.9 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Radon levels less than 4.0 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases may be reduced by sealing cracks and other openings in the basement, such as sump pumps and crawlspaces.
Homeowner requirements: Closed house conditions must be adhered to, required by the State of Illinois, to insure the results are “valid”:
IMPORTANT! Negative results to any of the following environmental testing does not need to break your real estate deal! They can be remediated, or mitigated, or resolved by various methods. However, testing for them should be the first, important step.
