What exactly is radon testing? Radon testing is an inspection tool used for radon mitigation. Radon mitigation is the mitigation of radium gases in ground samples to a concentration that does not increase over time. Radon is an essential contributor to hazardous radioactivity from natural sources such as uranium, thorium, radium, granite, and other igneous rocks.
Why should we test for radon? There are two significant benefits of radon testing. First, it is essential to detect radon gas to prevent lung cancer. Lung cancer is the second most common cause of death in the United States. Second, it can be a valuable tool for radon mitigation to evaluate the amount of radiation in your home and plan repair work that will keep you safe. Radon testing can provide helpful information about levels of radiation in your home and can help with mitigation.
What is radon gassing? The term "radiation" refers to the transfer of energy. In this case, the power comes from naturally occurring radioactive elements, which we contact daily through breathing. Radon gas comes from the soil, water, and air. Radon gases act as carriers of radioactivity and can enter our lungs. The most common way this happens is from earth carrying radon that has passed through the ground or water and into the air, or from building materials carrying radon that has leaked or been penetrated by the soil.
How is radon detected? On one level, the only way to know if radon is present is to have a non-destructive test done, such as an emission test. By comparing the color of radium gas with the background of laboratory samples (known as osmosis), you can determine how much radium is present. The distinctive color of radium is gray; however, if the osmosis results are dark gray or black, the concentration is too high, and radon is in the air. If the osmosis results are lighter than gray, there may be less than average radium concentration in the air.
When should you have radon testing? Ideally, radon testing should occur when the home's foundation is being built so that the mitigation system will be installed before it is constructed, and the radon level will be at its lowest when the foundation is built. However, some states require radon testing when the home is being framed because radon often moves below the ground during construction and can settle at the bottom of the foundation footer drain pan, which is below the ground.
Why would I need radon testing? Radon is most harmful to people with lung diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis and people with pre-existing lung conditions. It can also cause DNA damage in people with certain types of cancer. It also causes damage to the skin and can aggravate existing skin infections, such as staph infections. When testing the environment, a sample of soil should be taken for analysis. It is recommended that a person try their home a minimum of once every ten years.