Measuring Indoor Radon Levels

Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless substance occurring naturally in the soil all around us. It is produced from radium, a byproduct formed in the decay of uranium. Because these are common elements within the soil, radon is constantly being produced by the earth. Outdoor radon is not a threat, but radon can enter homes and accumulate to dangerous levels. So dangerous in fact, that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers radon to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. It has been estimated that nearly one out of every 15 homes tested in the U.S. has elevated radon levels.

Radon follows the path of least resistance to escape to the surface. Air pressure inside your home is usually lower than pressure in the soil around your home's foundation. Because of this difference in pressure, your house acts like a vacuum, drawing radon in through foundation cracks and other openings. Radon can be found all over America. It can get into any type of building – homes, offices and schools – and dangerous levels have been identified in all 50 states. There is only way to know whether your home has a radon problem – perform a test for radon now.

What can we do for you?

The National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) recommends that you use a qualified trained professional to test your home because specific technical knowledge and skills are required. Our company offers inspectors that are fully certified by NEHA. Our in-house lab gives us the ability to provide total quality control over the test results which are provided within 24 hours, once detectors have been retrieved. Our radon results and reports are fully recognized in real estate transactions.

We use the E-PERM® System, a passive device used to measure radon concentrations in the air. It consists of a charged Teflon disk or electret which is screwed into an open-faced ionization chamber to establish an electrostatic field. When this happens a passive ionization chamber is formed.

Over time, radon gas diffuses passively into the chamber. The alpha particles emitted from the decay of radon ionize the air molecules. The ions are attracted to the charged surface of the electret and over time neutralize and reduce the charge that was originally present. The electret charge is measured before and after the exposure, and the rate of change is proportional to the concentration of radon in the area.

Electret ion chambers have no moving parts or electronic components and are unaffected by ambient environmental conditions. The U.S. EPA has used this technology to establish the natural ambient radon levels in all states in the U.S. According to the EPA (document EPA 402-F-93-003-I), more than 50% of all the radon detectors submitted for radon proficiency tests are E-PERMs, which also have the highest pass rate. There are more E-PERM EPA listed users than all the other radon technologies put together.

Radon Testing Procedures

If you schedule a radon test with your home inspection, the inspector will place two detectors in the lowest liveable area of the home when he arrives for the inspection. As per EPA guidelines, the detectors must remain in place for a minimum of 48 hours. However, if desired, they can remain in place up to a maximum of ninety days for a short-term radon test. A longer exposure does not imply that the readings will be higher; if anything, a longer exposure adds to the objectivity of the test.

Once the detectors have been retrieved, the inspector will analyze the results using our in-house laboratory. These results are verbally available within one business day of retrieval, and are followed-up by a detailed report sent to the client via the U.S. mail service.

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Windows and doors must be kept closed at least 12 hours prior to our arrival and throughout the test period. If doors and windows are found open when we arrive to place the detectors, testing cannot be performed. Doors may be opened for normal, momentary entering and exiting. Windows must be kept closed because, when open, they can raise or lower radon levels.

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Please do not open any windows or doors during the time the detectors are in place, except as noted above.  

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Please do not touch, cover, move or alter the performance of any detectors or other controls that may be placed with the detectors for non-interference purposes.

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Please do not operate any whole house fans. Do not use any fireplaces or wood stoves, unless they are a primary heat source, and keep all dampers closed if not in use.

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You may operate the heating and air conditioning normally. However, please turn off and keep off any equipment that supplies fresh air to the dwelling unless it is vented supply air to a combustion appliance.

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The dryer, range hood, bathroom fan or attic ventilating fan can be operated. This equipment should only be operated normally because any exhaust fan or any combustion appliance may increase the negative pressure in the dwelling, which can raise or lower any radon concentration.  

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A signature will be requested to verify that these closed-house conditions have been explained to a responsible occupant of the house or their designated representative prior to testing, and that the conditions explained above were adhered to during the testing period.

Type of Test(s)

If Radon Level is 4.0 pCi/L or Greater

Single Short-Term Test

Test Again *

Average of Short-Term Tests

Fix The Home

One Long-Term Test

Fix The Home

Type of Test(s)

If Radon Level is 4.0 pCi/L or Greater

Single Active Short-Term Test
(this test requires a machine)

Fix The Home

Average of 2 Passive Short-Term Tests*
(these tests do not require machines)

Fix The Home

One Long-Term Test

Fix The Home