Radon Monitoring System

RADON Testing

Keeping Everyone Protected

The only way to know if your home, school, multi-family property, or new construction has a radon problem is to test. There is no way to predict radon levels by geographical location, use of maps, types of structure, or even results of a nearby property or any other criteria. Radon is in most soils in our area and as it travels through soil, it may find pathways to enter your property but not one nearby.

Both the EPA and Ohio Code recommend that testing devices be placed in the lowest level of the building “suitable for occupancy.” This simply means testing in the lowest level which is occupied without major renovations. The test should be placed in a room to be used regularly and not near laundry, kitchen or bathroom fans. Screening (first time) measurements and follow up testing protocols vary slightly if you are selling your home or property, or if you are simply looking to test your own property for radon.

Residential

radon testing

Let the team at Radon Environmental Services test your home for dangerous levels of radon using our Continuous Radon Monitor so you can know your family’s exposure level.

ReAL ESTATE

radon testing

Nearly every home sale involves a number of inspections. All are critical, but with the exception of electrical testing, none are more critical to your family’s health than a radon test. 

SCHOOL

radon testing

Your kids spend a lot of time at school. We work with local school officials to provide professional testing in every ground floor classroom and office space according to EPA and Ohio revised code guidelines.

MULTI-FAMILY

radon testing

Radon testing is required for any HUD multifamily property being sold, refinanced, or built. Our experienced team has the special licensing required to comply with HUD regulations and stringent protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

About Radon Testing

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas without color, odor or taste. Radon is one stage in the decay process of uranium. When one element “decays” and becomes a different element altogether, it gives off radiation in the form of alpha and beta particles and gamma rays. Radon exists as a gas for slightly less than 4 days. It then decays and smaller energy particles are formed which also decay very rapidly. The alpha particles in the air are the real concern as they are heavy enough to penetrate a layer of skin. Long term exposure to high levels of radon gas can cause damage to sensitive lung tissue that can then lead to lung cancer.

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/l) and the US EPA has set the “action level” at 4.0 pCi/l. This means that there is epidemiological evidence of a link to lung cancer with prolonged exposure to radon at this level. If you are selling your home and your radon level is above 4.0 pCi/l, this typically requires that the home be remediated by installing a Radon Mitigation System. If you are NOT selling your home, other protocols for follow up testing may apply, such as retesting or long term testing.

Radon comes primarily from the soil under a building. Radon can be found almost everywhere because radium (the “parent” of radon gas) is present in most soils. Average concentrations of radon are usually low, and small amounts of radon are measurable in the air. However, when homes, schools and buildings are erected over a source of radon, the gas can become trapped and elevated inside the building. The highest levels are usually detected in the basement, however heating and air conditioning systems and whole house vacuum systems can quickly spread radon to other parts of a building. 

Radon usually enters buildings mixed with other gasses from the soil. Usual entry points are open sumps, cracks in floors and cinder block walls, openings in floors (from electrical, plumbing and other penetrations), floor drains, etc. Radon is literally pulled, or sucked into the building due to what is called the “stack effect.” Warm, heated air inside the building will rise and exit at higher elevations. This loss of air requires make up air which often comes from the soil through the above mentioned areas. Other exhausting appliances (such as fireplaces, dryers, bathroom fans, etc.) can also increase the rate of radon entry.

One of the most common radon test types is the activated carbon test. Using this technique, a small canister of activated charcoal is placed in the lowest level suitable for occupancy area of a home or commercial building (the basement, if you have one) for several days. After exposure, the canister is sealed and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Charcoal canister tests help you determine the radon concentration present at the time of the test.

Other test devices include electronic continuous radon monitors (CRM’s), which can be used to detect and document radon levels on an hourly basis. This type of test is especially valuable when you are involved in purchasing a home and want to prevent tampering with the test device. Certain monitors can also be used to locate primary radon entry points.

For real estate transactions we recommend state-of-the-art electronic test devices called Continuous Radon Monitors. CRM devices continuously measure and record the amount of radon in the air on an hourly basis. This information will reveal any unusual or abnormal swings in the radon level during a test period and are specifically designed to deter and detect test interference or weather anomalies. Each device contains a motion detector to determine if the device has been moved. Results are available immediately at the conclusion of the test. Test prices start at $145 for a 48 hour test in the Toledo area.

Unlike natural gas, carbon monoxide or other toxic airborne gasses, radon does not continue to build in concentration. Because ½ the radon “decays” every 3.8 days, an equilibrium is reached and radon levels remain fairly constant. Testing any home requires that the building be kept closed for a period of time before and DURING the test, negating the concern that the house has been vacant and closed up for a long period.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s website is an excellent source of information. Visit epa.gov/radon to learn more.

The Ohio Department of Health provides a number of resources and information about radon. Visit Ohio Department of Health’s website to learn more.

You can't predict radon levels.

Testing is critical to keeping everyone safe.

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Why choose

radon Environmental Services

01.

Licensed

Our team is licensed with the State of Ohio to perform radon testing services.

02.

Experienced

We have been in the radon industry for over 33 years and know what it takes to test a home for radon properly.

03.

Caring

Raising radon awareness is our #1 priority. We are happy to provide information about radon during your radon test.

04.

Accredited

A+ BBB Accreditation since 2007 and we continue to provide quality radon testing in NW Ohio, NC Ohio, and SE Michigan.

05.

Guaranteed Results

We guarantee the work that we perform and can provide you with mitigation efforts if needed after your radon test.

Radon Environmental Services is an excellent company. Responses are prompt and provided services are excellent. They have done work for several of my clients.
Gary D.
Service: Radon Testing

buy radon test kits

Radon Environmental Services can test your property using a Continuous Radon Monitor or you can purchase low cost test kits that include complete testing instructions by visiting the purchase link below. We recommend NOT purchasing test kits from big box stores, as they may be outdated and subject to moisture and other environmental elements within the store.

Purchase A Radon Test Kit

Lives Changed

Radon gas is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that damages delicate lung tissue when people breathe contaminated air. Radon is proven to be a leading cause of lung cancer, second only to smoking. The higher the level and the longer the exposure to radon, the greater the risk of disease. A majority of American's are not even aware of the danger it can cause.

READ OUR ARTICLE

33 facts about Radon

There is so much that the team at Radon Environmental Services knows about radon, its properties, and the effects that it can have. Over the last 33 years we have been able to share our knowledge of radon with our customers and those throughout Northwest Ohio, North Central Ohio, and Southeast Michigan. Learn with us with a fact for each year in business.

Discover 33 Radon Facts

the epa

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a number of critical resources on the importance of radon testing for individuals and families, home buyers and sellers, and builders and contractors. With extensive information and helpful articles, the EPA is a useful resource in the fight against radon exposure.

Visit the EPA'S Website

Keep your family safe.

Testing is key to knowing your level of exposure.

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