Office of Air and Radiation (OAR),
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (ORIA)
402-R-93-003, March 1993
EPA Recommends:
If you are buying
a home or selling your home, have it tested for radon.
- For new homes, ask if radon resistant construction feature have been
used.
- Fix the home if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or
higher.
- Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and in many cases may
be reduced.
- Take steps to prevent device interference when conducting a radon test.
EPA has developed this guide to help home buyers and sellers
address 8 key questions about radon:
- Why Do You Need to Test for Radon?
- If You are Selling a Home, What Should You Do?
- If You are Buying a Home, What Should You Do?
- If You are Buying a Newly-Built Home, What
Should You Do?
- How Can You Get Reliable Radon Test Results?
- Types of Radon Devices
- Length of Time to Test
- If You Conduct a Short-Term Test
- Using Testing Devices Properly (If You Do the
Test Yourself)
- EPA's Testing Checklist
- Getting Reliable Test Results (If You Hire a
Professional Radon Tester)
- Interpreting Radon Test Results
- What Should You Do If You Find a High Radon
Level?
- Radon Myths/Facts
- Where Can You Get More Information about
Radon?
PLEASE NOTE: The information in these pages have
been modified slightly from the original Agency publication to reflect changes
in technical terminology, specifically, in the descriptions of radon
measurement and mitigation service providers participating in EPA's Radon
Proficiency Program (RPP).
OVERVIEW
This guide is for anyone buying or selling a home who
wants to learn about radon.
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas
You cannot see radon. And you cannot smell it or taste it. But
it may be a problem in your home. That is because when you breathe air
containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the
Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung
cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high
radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
You should test for radon
Testing is the only way to find out your home's radon levels.
EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor
for radon.
You can fix a radon problem
If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to
fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable
levels.
If you are selling a home...
EPA recommends that you test your home before putting it on
the market and, if necessary, lower your radon levels. Save the test results
and all information you have about steps that were taken to fix any problems.
This could be a positive selling point. (See Sections 2(a)
& (b) and 5(c) & (d)
below for recommendations about how to test.)
If you are buying a home...
EPA recommends that you obtain the indoor radon level in a
home you are considering buying. Ask the seller for radon test results. If the
home has a radon reduction system, ask the seller for information about the
system.
If the home has not yet been tested, Sections 2(b)
and 5(c) of this Guide make recommendations about
how to test now.
If you are buying a newly-constructed home, please refer to Section
4.
The radon testing guidelines in the "Home Buyer's and
Seller's Guide to Radon" have been developed specifically to deal with
the time sensitive nature of home purchases and sales and the potential for
radon device interference.
The guidelines in the "Home Buyer's Guide" are
somewhat different from the guidelines in other EPA publications which provide
radon testing and reduction information for non-real estate situations. The
"Home Buyer's Guide" recommends three short-term testing options
when long-term testing is not possible. The "Home Buyer's Guide"
also recommends testing a home in the lowest level of the home which is
currently suitable for occupancy. This is because a buyer may choose to live
in a lower area of the home than that used by the seller.
Back to the Table of Contents
1. WHY DO YOU
NEED TO TEST FOR RADON?
Radon
Has Been Found In Homes All Over the U.S.
Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all
over the U.S. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and
water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the
ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in
the foundation. Your home can trap radon inside. Sometimes radon enters the
home through well water (see Section 6 for
more information about radon in water.)
Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old
homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In
fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation
exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time.
Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to
have elevated radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in
homes in your state. Contact your state radon
office for information about radon in your area.
EPA
And The Surgeon General Recommend That You Test Your Home
Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at
risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below
the third floor for radon.
|
Why you cannot estimate radon levels based on
state, local and neighborhood radon measurements
Do not rely on radon test results taken in other homes in the
neighborhood to estimate the radon level in your home. Homes which are
next to each other can have different indoor radon levels. While radon
problems may be more common in some areas in the local community or
state, any home may have a problem. Testing your home is the only way
to find out what your radon levels are.
|
Back to the Table of Contents
2.
IF YOU ARE SELLING A HOME, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
a. If your home has already been tested for radon...
If you are thinking of selling your home and you have already
tested your home for radon, provide your test results to the buyer. Review the
testing Checklist in Section 5(e) to make sure that
the test was done correctly.
No matter what kind of test you took, a potential buyer may
ask for a new test especially if:
- you took a test and the Checklist items were not met;
- you have renovated or altered your home since you tested;
- the buyer plans to live in a lower level of the house than you do, such
as a basement which is suitable for occupance but is not currently lived
in;
- or, your State requires disclosure of Radon information to buyers.
b.
If the home has not yet been tested for radon...
Have a test taken as soon as possible. If you can, test your
home before putting it on the market because this may save time during real
estate transactions. You should test in the lowest level of the home which is
suitable for occupancy and finished. This means testing in the lowest level
that you currently live in or a lower level not currently used, but which a
buyer could use for living space without renovations. The result of the radon
test is important information about your home's radon level that potential
buyers may want to know.
You can test your own home or hire an EPA-listed
or state-certified radon tester. Call your state
radon office for a list of these professional radon testers. If you test
your own home, carefully follow the Checklist in Section
5(e).
Back to the Table of Contents
3. IF YOU ARE
BUYING A HOME, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
a.
If the home has already been tested for radon...
If you are thinking of buying a home, you may either decide to
accept the test results from the seller, ask the seller to do another test, or
you may ask for a new test to be conducted by an EPA-listed
or state-certified radon tester.
If you decide to accept the seller's test, make sure that the
seller (or whoever took the test) followed the testing Checklist in Section
5(e) and that he or she can confirm that all the items were followed. If
you plan to use the seller's test, find out as soon as possible from the
seller:
- the results of the previous test; and
- who conducted the previous test: the homeowner, a radon professional or
some other person; and
- where in the home the previous test was taken, especially if you may
plan to live in a lower level of the home. For example, the test may have
been taken on the first floor; however, you may want to live in a basement
which is not currently lived in but which is suitable for occupancy
without renovation.
- what, if any, structural changes or alterations have been made to the
house since the test was done. Such changes might affect radon levels.
If you decide that a new test is needed, you should discuss it
with the seller as soon as possible. If you decide to use an EPA-listed
or state-certified radon tester, contact your state
radon office for a list of radon testing companies.
b. If the home has not yet been tested for radon...
Make sure that a radon test is done as soon as possible. You
should consider including provisions in the contract specifying who should
conduct the test, what type of test to do, when to do the test, and how the
seller and the buyer will share the test results, test costs and, if
necessary, when radon mitigation measures should be taken and who should pay
for them.
Make sure that the test is done in the lowest level of the
home suitable for occupancy. This means the lowest level that you are going to
use as living space which is finished or does not require renovations prior to
use. A state or local radon official or an EPA-listed
or state-certified radon tester can help you make some of these decisions.
If you decide to finish or renovate an unfinished area of the
home in the future, radon tests should be taken before and after the area is
finished. Radon reduction costs could be incurred if high levels are found in
that area. Generally, it is less expensive to install a radon reduction system
before or during renovations rather than afterwards.
Back to the Table of Contents
4. IF
YOU ARE BUYING A NEWLY BUILT HOME, WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
New
homes can be built with radon-resistant
features that minimize radon entry and allow easier fixing of radon
problems that could occur later. These features cost less if installed during
construction than if added to an existing home. In most new homes, use of
radon-resistant features will keep radon levels to below 2 pCi/L.
Builders can incorporate radon-resistant features into the
homes they build. Some states, counties and local jurisdictions may adopt
radon-resistant construction features in their building codes, which builders
must then follow. Radon-resistant construction standards can be applied
depending on the radon potential in a particular area. Many builders already
use radon resistant building features.
New home buyers should ask if radon-resistant
construction techniques have been built into the new home they are
considering for purchase. Buyers should also ask whether information about
radon is available. For custom-built homes, the buyer should discuss
radon-resistant features with the builder, including the cost.
Occupants of newly constructed homes should have their homes
tested for radon. A long-term test will provide a reading that is more
representative of the home's year-round average radon level. However,
short-term tests (as described in Section 5(b)) may
be used to determine if elevated radon levels exist.
Back to the Table of Contents
5. HOW CAN YOU
GET RELIABLE RADON TEST RESULTS?
Even though you cannot see or smell
radon, it is not hard
to find out if you have a radon problem in your home.
Since you cannot see or smell radon, special equipment is
needed to detect it. You can buy radon devices in retail stores when you want
to test your own home, send away for radon devices from EPA-listed Analytical
Service Providers that offer mail order services, or you can hire an EPA-listed
or state-certified radon tester who will test using radon devices that are
appropriate for the situation.
Preventing or Detecting Test Interference
There is a potential for test interference in real estate
transactions. There are a number of ways to prevent or detect test
interference such as:
- Print-out report which frequently records radon or decay product levels
to detect unusual swings;
- Motion detectors to determine whether the test device has been moved or
testing conditions have changed;
- Proximity detectors to reveal the presence of people in the room which
may correlate to possible changes in radon levels during the test;
- Record of barometric pressure to identify weather conditions which may
have affected the test;
- Temperature record to help assess whether doors and windows have been
opened; and
- Taping windows shut to ensure closed house conditions (see Section
5(e)).
Home buyers and sellers should evaluate these and other
features when selecting a radon test alternative. Refer to the "Protocols
for Radon and Radon Decay Measurements in Homes" for information about
radon testing devices and associated device interference features.
Some of the most common radon testing devices are listed
below. Because new testing devices may be listed
by EPA or your state, you may want to check with your state
radon office before you test to get the most up-to-date information.
Passive Devices
Passive radon testing devices do not need power to function.
they include radon detectors such as charcoal canisters, alpha-track
detectors, and charcoal liquid scintillation devices that are available in
hardware stores, drug stores, other stores, and by mail, and electret ion
chamber detectors generally only available through laboratories. They are
exposed to the air in the home for a specified period of time and then sent to
a laboratory for analysis. Both short-term and long-term passive devices are
generally inexpensive. Some of these devices may have features that offer more
resistance to test interference or disturbance than other passive devices.
Professional radon testers may use any of these devices to measure the home's
radon level.
Active Devices
Active radon testing devices require power to function. Active
radon detectors such as continuous radon monitors and continuous working
level monitors require operation by trained testers. They work by
continuously measuring and recording the amount of radon or its decay products
in the air of the home. Many of these devices provide a report of this
information which can reveal any unusual or abnormal swings in the radon level
during the test period. A professional tester can explain this report to you.
In addition, some of these devices are specifically designed to deter and
detect test interference. Currently, some of the technically advanced active
devices offer the most extensive device interference features. Although these
tests may cost more, they may ensure a more reliable result.
General Information for All Devices:
A state or local radon official can explain the differences
between devices and recommend the ones which are most appropriate for your
needs and expected testing conditions. In addition, EPA's Radon Measurement
Protocols include technical information about the differences between devices.
Make sure the radon device is listed
by EPA's Radon Proficiency Program (RPP) or is state-certified. The device
may display the phrase "Meets EPA Requirements" or "EPA
listed." Your state radon office or a
radon tester can tell you more about radon testing devices.
Certain precautions should be followed to avoid interference
during the test period. Refer to the Checklist in Section
5(e) for more information about how to get a reliable test.
In some areas, companies may offer different types of radon
service agreements. Some agreements let you pay a one-time fee that covers
both testing, and if needed, radon reduction. Contact your state
radon office to find out if these are available in your state.
Radon Test Device Placement
The testing device(s) should be placed in the lowest level of
the home suitable for occupancy. This means testing in the lowest level
currently lived in or a lower level not currently used, such as a basement,
which a buyer could use for living space without renovations. The test should
be in a room to be used regularly (like a living room, playroom, den or
bedroom) but not a kitchen, bathroom or laundry room.
| Whether you test for radon
yourself or hire an EPA-listed or state-certified tester, all radon
tests should be taken for a minimum of 48 hours. A longer period of
testing is required for some devices. |
There Are Two General Ways To Test Your Home for Radon:
LONG-TERM TESTING: Long-term tests remain in your home
for more than 90 days. Alpha track, and electret ion chamber
detectors are commonly used for this type of testing. A long-term test
will give you a reading that is more likely to tell you your home's year-round
average radon level than a short-term test. If time permits (more than 90
days) long-term tests can be used to confirm initial short-term results
between 4 pCi/L and 10 pCi/L. When long-term test results are 4 pCi/L or
higher, EPA recommends fixing the home.
SHORT -TERM TESTING: The quickest way to test is with
short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your home from two days to 90
days, depending on the device. There are two groups of devices which are more
commonly used for short-term testing. The passive device group includes alpha
track detectors, charcoal canisters, charcoal liquid scintillation detectors,
and electret ion chambers. The active device group consists of
different types of continuous monitors. (see Section
5(a) above for more information.) Because radon levels tend to vary from
day to day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely than a
long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. However, if
you need results quickly, short-term testing may be used to decide whether to
fix the home.
If you are testing in a real estate transaction and you need
results quickly, any of the following three ways to conduct Short-Term Tests
are acceptable for determining whether the home should be fixed. Any real
estate test for radon should include steps to prevent or detect device
interference (see Section 5(a)).
| Short-Term Testing
Options |
What to do Next |
Passive:
Take an initial short-term test for at least 48 hours. After the first
test has been completed, take a follow-up short-term test for at least
48 hours.
or
Take two short-term tests at the same time in the same location for
at least 48 hours.
|
Fix the home if the average of two tests is 4 pCi/L or more.
|
Active:
Test the home with a continuous monitor for at least 48 hours. |
Fix the home if the average radon level is 4 pCi/L or more.
|
When
you are taking a short-term test, close your windows and outside doors and
keep them closed as much as possible during the test, except for normal entry
and exit. If you are taking a short-term test lasting less than 4 days, be
sure to close your windows and outside doors at least 12 hours before
beginning the test, too. You should not conduct short-term tests lasting less
than 4 days during severe storms or periods of high winds.
Place the test device at least 20 inches above the floor in a
location where it will not be disturbed and where it will be away from drafts,
high heat, high humidity, and exterior walls. Leave the test kit in place for
as long as the test instructions say. Once you have finished the test, reseal
the package and send it immediately to the lab specified on the package for
analysis. You should receive your test results within a few weeks. If you need
results quickly, you should find out how long results will take and, if
necessary, request expedited service.
When choosing a short-term testing option...
There are tradeoffs among the short-term test options. One test
followed by another test (sequential) would most likely give a better
representation of the seasonal average. Two tests taken at the same
time (simultaneous) would improve the precision of this radon test.
Both active and passive devices may have features which help to
prevent test interference. Your state radon office can help you decide
which option is the best for you. |
Follow
this Checklist carefully so that you get the most accurate radon test
results. Radon testing is not a complicated process, but must be done
properly. Otherwise, the test results may not be accurate and more testing may
have to be done. Disturbing or interfering with the test device or
closed-house conditions will invalidate the test results. The seller, or an EPA-listed
or state-certified tester, should be able to confirm that all the items in
this Checklist have been followed. If the tester cannot confirm this, another
test should be taken.
Before the radon testing:
 |
Notify occupants of the importance of
proper testing conditions. Give occupants written instructions or this
document and explain the directions carefully.
|
|
If you conduct the test yourself, use a
radon measurement device listed in EPA's Radon
Proficiency Program (RPP) or certified by your state and follow
the manufacturer's instructions that come with the device.
If you use a testing professional, hire only an EPA-listed
or state-certified individual and ask to see his or her photo
identification. The contractor's identification number should be
clearly visible on the test report.
|
|
The test should include method(s) to
prevent or detect interference with testing conditions or with the
testing device itself.
|
|
Conduct the radon test for a minimum of 48
hours. Certain devices must be exposed for more than the 48 hour
minimum.
|
|
Check to see if an active radon reduction
system is in the house. Before taking a short-term test lasting less
than 4 days, make sure the fan, if any, is operating at least 24 hours
before the beginning of the test.
|
|
EPA recommends that short-term radon
testing, which lasts for no more than a week in length, be done under
closed-house conditions. Closed-house conditions mean keeping all
windows closed, keeping doors closed except for normal entry and exit,
and not operating fans or other machines which bring in air from
outside. Note that fans that are part of a radon reduction system or
small exhaust fans operating for only short periods of time may run
during the test.
|
|
When doing short-term testing lasting less
than 4 days, it is important to maintain closed-house conditions for
at least 12 hours before the beginning of the test and for the entire
test period. Do not operate fans or other machines which bring in air
from the outside.
|
During the radon test:
|
Maintain closed-house conditions during he
entire time of a short term test, especially for tests shorter than
one week in length.
|
|
Operate the home's heating and cooling
systems normally during the test. For tests lasting less than one
week, operate only air-conditioning units which recirculate interior
air.
|
|
Do not disturb the test device at any time
during the test.
|
|
If a radon reduction system is in place,
make sure the system is working properly and will be in operation
during the entire radon test.
|
After a radon test:
|
If a high radon level is found, fix the
home. Section 6 of this guide
recommend the next steps you should take, such as contacting a
qualified radon reduction contractor to lower the home's radon level.
|
|
Be sure that you or the professional radon
tester can demonstrate or provide information to ensure that the
testing conditions were not violated during the testing period.
|
In many cases, home buyers and sellers may decide to have the
radon test done by a professional radon tester. Make sure that the company or
individual(s) you hire is listed in EPA's
Radon Proficiency Program or your state's certification program, if it has
one.
EPA's Radon Proficiency Program (RPP) is designed to help you
get reliable radon tests. RPP participants are required to show their ability
to make accurate tests and follow quality assurance and EPA test guidelines.
EPA has provided a list of RPP participants in your state. These reports list
Analytical Service providers (companies who provide radon test results and
testing devices) and listed individuals in your area who follow EPA's
residential radon testing requirements. Make sure you ask to see the
professional radon tester's photo I.D. card.
WHAT WILL A PROFESSIONAL RADON TESTER DO?
An EPA-listed or
state-certified radon tester knows the proper conditions, test
devices, and guidelines to get a reliable radon test. A professional
radon tester can also:
- Evaluate the home and recommend a testing approach designed to
make sure you get reliable results;
- Explain how proper conditions can be maintained during the radon
test;
- Emphasize to occupants of a home that a reliable test result
depends on their cooperation because any interference or
disturbance with the test or the closed-house conditions,
especially during short-term testing, will invalidate the test
result;
- Analyze and report measurement results to you; and
- Provide an independent test result by someone who is not
involved in the home sale.
Your state radon office may also
have information about certification requirements for professional
radon testers. Contact your State radon office for information about EPA-listed
and state-certified contractors.
|
The average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3
pCi/L, and about 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. The
U.S. Congress has set a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more
than outdoor levels. While this goal is not yet technologically achievable for
all homes, the radon levels in some homes today can be reduced to 2
pCi/L or below.
| Radon Test Results Measured in Two Different Units
Your radon test results may be reported in either picocuries per
Liter of Air (pCi/L) or Working Levels (WL). If your test result is in
pCi/L, EPA recommends you fix the home if your radon level is 4 pCi/L
or higher. If the test result is in WL, EPA recommends you fix the
home if the working level is 0.02 WL or higher.
|
Sometimes short-term tests are less definitive about whether
the home is at or above 4 pCi/L. This can happen when your results are close
to 4 pCi/L. For example, if the average of the two short-term tests is 4.1
pCi/L, there is about a 50% chance that the year-round average is somewhat
below 4 pCi/L. However, EPA believes that any radon exposure carries some
risk; no level of radon is safe. Even radon levels below 4 pCi/L pose some
risk, and you can reduce your risk of lung cancer by lowering your radon
level.
Like other environmental pollutants, there is some uncertainty
about the magnitude of radon health risks. However, we know more about radon
risks than risks from most other cancer-causing substances. This is because
estimates of radon risks are based on studies in humans (underground miners).
Additional studies on more typical populations are under way.
Your radon measurement will give you an idea of your risk of
getting lung cancer from radon. Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon
depend mostly on:
- The home's radon level; and
- The amount of time you spend in your home; and
- Whether you are a smoker or have ever smoked.
Smoking combined with radon is an especially serious health
risk. If you smoke or are a former smoker, the presence of radon greatly
increases your risk of lung cancer. If you stop smoking now and lower the
radon level in your house, you will reduce your lung cancer risk.
Go
to the Radon Risk Comparison Charts
Back to the Table of Contents
6.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU FIND A HIGH RADON LEVEL?
High Radon Levels Can be Reduced
EPA recommends that you take action to reduce your home's
indoor radon levels if your radon test result is 4 pCi/L or higher. It is
preferable to correct a radon problem before placing your home on the market
because then you have more time to address a radon problem. If elevated levels
are found during the real estate transaction, the buyer and seller should
discuss the timing and costs of the radon reduction, as with any other aspect
of the home purchase and sale.
The cost of making repairs to reduce radon depends on how your
home was built and other factors. Most homes can be fixed for about the same
cost as other common home repairs, like painting or having a new hot water
heater installed. The average cost for a contractor to lower radon levels in a
home is about $1,200, although this can range from $500 to about $2,500.
How To Lower The Radon Level In Your Home
A
variety of methods can be used to reduce radon in homes. Sealing cracks and
other openings in the foundation is a basic part of most approaches to radon
reduction. EPA does not recommend the use of sealing alone to reduce radon
because, by itself, sealing has not been shown to lower radon levels
significantly or consistently. In most cases, systems with pipes and fans are
used to reduce radon. Such systems are called "subslab
depressurization," and do not require major changes to your home. These
systems prevent radon gas from entering the home from below the concrete floor
and the foundation. Similar systems can also be installed in homes with crawl
spaces. Radon mitigation contractors may use other methods that may also work
in your home. The right system depends on the design of your home and other
factors. As with any other house-hold appliance, there would be costs
associated with the operation of the radon reduction system.
Ways to reduce radon are discussed in EPA's "Consumer's
Guide to Radon Reduction." Call your
state radon office to get a copy.
You should also test your home again after it is fixed to be
sure that radon levels have been reduced. If your living patterns change and
you begin occupying a lower level of your home (such as a basement) you should
retest your home on that level. In addition, it is a good idea to retest your
home sometime in the future to be sure radon levels remain low.
Radon and home renovations
If you are planning any major renovations, such as converting an
unfinished basement area into living space, it is especially important
to test the area for radon before you begin the renovation. If your
test results indicate a radon problem, radon resistant techniques can
be inexpensively included as part of the renovation. Because major
renovations can change the level of radon in any home, always test
again after work is completed.
|
What services do radon reduction (mitigation) contractors
provide?
Contractors who participate and become listed in EPA's
National Radon Proficiency Program (RPP) are qualified to:
- Review testing guidelines and measurement results and determine if
additional measurements are needed;
- Evaluate the radon problem and provide you with a detailed, written
proposal on how radon levels will be lowered;
- Design a radon reduction system;
- Install the system according to EPA Standards and State or local codes;
and
- Make sure the finished system effectively reduces radon levels to
acceptable levels.
Picking someone to fix your radon problem is much like
choosing a contractor for other home repairs; you may want to get references
and more than one estimate. Call your state radon
office for a list of the names of EPA
listed or state-certified radon reduction contractors in your area. Your
state radon office may also have information about certification requirements
for these contractors.
Selecting A Radon Reduction (Mitigation) Contractor
You
should use a radon reduction contractor who is listed as being proficient (in
the current National Radon Proficiency Program (RPP)) as a Residential
Mitigation Service Provider. This Program tests the technical knowledge of
contractors to ensure that they can correct radon problems. EPA-listed
Residential Mitigation Service Providers must follow specific guidelines which
make certain that their work meets minimum quality standards. EPA-listed
Residential Mitigation Service Providers carry photo I.D. cards and are listed
in the National RPP Reports.
EPA-listed Residential Mitigation Service Providers are required to pass an
initial exam and then follow the Radon
Mitigation Standards. These standards are available from your state
radon office. EPA-listed Residential Mitigation Service Providers are also
required to review radon measurement results before beginning radon reduction
work. In addition, an EPA-listed Residential Mitigation Service Provider must
recommend that the home be tested again by an independent EPA-listed or
state-certified radon measurement service provider after completing radon
mitigation work to confirm that elevated levels have been reduced.
Should the Company Performing Your Radon Test Also be Your Radon
Reduction Contractor?
Be aware that there is potential conflict of interest if you use
the same company to conduct both the test and the radon mitigation of
the home. If the same radon testing professional also offers to do
radon mitigation of the home, make sure that the testing is done
according to the Testing Checklist.
EPA's Radon Proficiency Program works to protect home buyers and
sellers. Make sure you only hire professional measurement and
mitigation contractors who are EPA-listed or state-certified. Always
ask to see the contractor's I.D. card.
You should also consider getting more than one cost estimate and
asking for references from radon measurement and mitigation companies
in your area.
Some states have additional certification requirements, and may
require the homeowner to sign a waiver if one firm conducts both radon
measurements and mitigations. Contact your state
radon office.
|
Radon in Water
Compared with radon entering the home through soil, radon
entering the home through water in most cases will be a small source of risk.
Radon gas can enter the home through well water. It can be released into the
air you breathe when water is used for showering and other household uses.
Research suggests that swallowing water with high radon levels may pose risks,
too, although risks from swallowing water containing radon are believed to be
much lower than those from breathing air containing radon.
While radon in water is not a problem in homes served by most
public water supplies, radon has been found in well water. If you have tested
the air in your home and found a radon problem, and your water comes from a
well, have the water tested. If you are on a public water supply and are
concerned that radon may be entering your home through the water, call your
public water supplier. The testing device and procedures used to find out the
radon levels of your home's water supply are different from the device and
procedures used to test your home's indoor air levels for radon.
Radon problems in water can be readily fixed. The most
effective treatment is to remove radon from the water before it enters the
home. This is called point-of-entry treatment. Treatment at your water tap is
called point-of-use treatment. Point-of-use devices usually only treat a small
portion of your water and are not effective in reducing radon risk in water.
If high radon levels are found and the home
has a well, you can find publications and documents developed by EPA's Office
of Ground Water and Drinking Water relating to radon in drinking water and the
radon in drinking water rule at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/radon.html.
Back to the Table of Contents
7.
Go to the RADON MYTHS Page
Back to the Table of Contents
8.
WHERE CAN YOU GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT RADON?
For
more information on how to reduce your radon health risk, go to EPA's
Radon Home Page, or ask your state radon
office to send you these guides (the complete list of Radon-related
publications is available at http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs),
you can find other Indoor Air-related publications at (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/):
If you plan to make repairs yourself, be sure to contact your state
radon office for a current copy of EPA's technical guidance on radon
reduction, "Radon Reduction Techniques for Detached Houses -- Technical
Guidance."
Contact the EPA's Drinking Water Hotline (1 800 426-4791) for
information on radon in water.
SURGEON GENERAL HEALTH ADVISORY
"Indoor radon gas is a national health problem. Radon causes
thousands of deaths each year. Millions of homes have elevated radon
levels. Homes should be tested for radon. When elevated levels are
confirmed, the problem should be corrected."
|
| Consumers need to know about the health of a house they are
considering purchasing, including whether there is a radon problem,
and if so, how to fix it. The Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon
provides practical consumer information that every home buyer needs to
know.
Consumer Federation of America
|
For sale by the U.S. Government Printing Office:
Superintendent of Documents,
Mail Stop: SSOP,
Washington, DC 20402-9328.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency document number: 402-r-93-003,
1ast printing - March 1993,
U.S. EPA/Office of Air and Radiation/Office of Radiation and Indoor Air,
Mail Stop-6604J,
401 M Street, S.W.,
Washington, DC 20460.
You can call your State Radon Contact for a
free copy of this guide.
Back to the Table of Contents
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs/hmbyguid.html
Last Modified: July 21, 1999
