Idaho Radon Q&A

Radon gas is invisible, odorless and chemically inert, so it can't be detected without using special detection devices. Fortunately, radon detectors are commonly available throughout the U.S., Canada and most developed nations. The most common "passive" radon detectors can be purchased at hardware stores, home centers, and online. These devices are called Radon Test Kits. These are typically placed in the house for 2 to 5 days for adequate exposure. The test kits are then sent to a lab where the radon level can be determined.

For more accurate and immediate test results we can provide you radon testing services with calibrated instruments. Our trained professionals will set a Continuous Radon Monitor in an appropriate testing location for 2 to 5 days. The monitor takes measurements throughout the testing period which are displayed on the provided Radon Measurement Report.

Radon is measured in units called picocuries per liter (pCi/L). A picocurie is extremely small — just one trillionth of a curie, the amount of radioactivity emitted by a single gram of radium. The (EPA) has established 4 pCi/L as the standard for indoor air. A house that tests out at levels higher than 4 pCi/L should undergo radon mitigation to reduce radon levels.

Radon is a hazardous, naturally occurring gas that results from the decay of trace amounts of uranium found in the earth's crust. Odorless and invisible, radon has been classified (by the Environmental Protection Agency) as a carcinogen since 1988, and is the leading cause of cancer among nonsmokers in of the U.S. Because radon is an unstable gas, it breaks down and dissipates quickly in the open air. Dangerous levels of radon can accumulate inside a house, however. The soil under and around the house is by far the largest source of radon gas, but it is also present in well water, building materials, public water supplies and outdoor air.

Most radon gas comes through the soil, meaning a house with a dirt crawl space has maximum radon exposure potential. However, even houses with a seemingly tight concrete foundation can have high radon levels.

As a radioactive gas, radon can enter a home through cracks in the foundation floor and walls, through basement floor drains, and through sump openings. Radon can also enter a home through holes made in the foundation walls for pipes and other utility lines. Radon gas that enters a home through the basement or crawl space has no difficulty moving to the upstairs and into living areas.

Radon gas is present indoors and outdoors. It's all around us all the time. Radon levels are typically higher indoors however, because our homes and buildings pull the gas in from the soil and trap it inside.

The great news is that radon levels can be greatly reduced by hiring a National Radon Defense professional to install an affordable radon mitigation system. Permanent systems are usually installed in less than one day and the results are guaranteed.