Radon testing for your newly purchased home

If you are purchasing a new home one thing you may want to consider having performed is a radon test. Radon is a radioactive gas which causes cancer. You can't smell, see or taste radon.

If you are purchasing a home here is a radon checklist.

- first determine if the home has already been tested for radon, if it has
- obtain the results of the previous test
- determine who conducted the test, the previous homeowner, a radon professional or another individual
- where was the test performed, the radon test should be performed below the third floor
- if a previous test was performed determine if there was any changes to the heating, cooling or ventilation systems in the home

If the home never had a radon test
- who will conduct the test, look for a qualified radon tester, you may also order a radon test kit by mail from a qualified radon measurement services provider or laboratory
- where the test will be conducted
- what type of radon test to conduct, options are a short-term test which lasts 2- 90 days or a long- term test which lasts for more than 90 days.
- when to conduct the test
- before the test takes place determine how you the purchaser and the seller will share the test results and test costs
- when radon mitigation measures will be taken and who will pay for them

Radon tests are reported in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or working levels (WL). If the radon test is in pCi/L a level of 4 pCi/L or higher requires the homes radon level be fixed. If the radon test is in WL a level of 0.02 WL or higher requires the homes radon level be fixed.

Source: United States EPA

Questions or comments, write or email: eugene.dougherty@realliving.com