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Radon evaluation
Interested in testing for radon gas before you buy? Block By Block Home
Inspections is certified by the National Environmental Health Association
in Radon Measurement and Analysis. Please contact us for more information
or to schedule a radon evaluation.
Answers to frequently asked questions about radon
Are you qualified to test for radon?
How much do you charge to test for radon?
How do you test for radon?
What is radon?
Is radon just a problem in the Midwest?
How do I find out if my home has unsafe levels of radon?
How does radon get into my home?
Can a radon problem be fixed?
Are you qualified to test for radon?
Yes. Brian Block is certified by the National Environmental Health Association
Radon Proficiency Program (Administration for the U.S. E.P.A. Radon Proficiency
Program) and is a member of the American Association of Radon Scientists
and Technologists. He follows all EPA protocols to ensure accurate measurement
results.
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How much do you charge to test for
radon?
$110 – radon test conducted with a home inspection
$140 – radon test conducted without a home inspection
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How do you test for radon?
We use continuous radon monitoring equipment, which provides accurate
radon readings and instant measurement results. No waiting one to three
weeks for lab results.
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What is radon?
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas. You can't see radon. And you
can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home.
Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. It can get into any type of building – homes, offices, and schools – and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most of your time.
Radon is estimated to cause 15,000-22,000 deaths each year in the U.S.
When you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In fact,
the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause
of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung
cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your
risk of lung cancer is especially high.
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Is radon just a problem in the Midwest?
Radon can be found all over the U.S., but has a higher density in the
Midwest. Nationwide, nearly 1 out of every 15 homes is estimated to have
elevated radon levels. In Wisconsin, this statistic increases, with 1
out of every 4 homes having elevated radon levels, while in Minnesota
1 out of every 3 homes have elevated radon levels.
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How do I find out if my home has unsafe
levels of radon?
Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from
radon. The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all residences
below the third floor for radon.
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How does radon get into my home?
Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium
that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground
to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in
the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any
home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed
and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.
Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water. In a small number of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.
Radon gets in through:
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Can a radon problem be fixed?
Radon reduction systems work and they are not too costly. Some radon reduction
systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. Even very high
levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. We do not install radon reduction
systems; we only test for radon. If you need to find a qualified mitigation
company, we would refer you to the National Environmental Health Association’s
web page:
http://www.radongas.org/Description_of_Radon_Mitigation_
Services.html.
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Helpful links
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Radon Homepage:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/
index.html
EPA Radon Publications:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/
pubs/index.html
State Radon Contacts:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/
contacts.html
Minnesota Department of Health Radon Page:
http://www.health.state.mn.
us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/
index.html
Minnesota and Wisconsin Radon Concentration Maps:
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/
zonemap/minnesota.htm
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon
/zonemap/wisconsin.htm
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) National
Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP):
http://www.radongas.org
National Cancer Institute – Radon and Cancer Q &
A:
http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/3_52.
htm
Proud member in good standing of the American Society of Home Inspectors
Licensed in Wisconsin.
License # 1692-106
Proud member of the National Environmental Health Association's Radon Proficiency Program
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Block By Block Home Inspections Inc. is professionally insured and meets or exceeds all accepted industry standards.