There is no good way to know if your home has a radon problem unless you test for radon. The radon potential is influenced on the uranium content in the soil beneath the home and based on the ability for the home ventilate the radon gas out from the foundation.

We use continuous radon monitors that measure the radon level in the home every hour for at least 48 hours up to 4 days.How quickly can my home be tested?

Most of the tests are started within 1-3 business days of when you call us. The equipment must remain in the home for at least 48 hours.

The day the technician picks up the instrument the results are printed, a report is prepared and handed to you. We can also fax or e-mail the results within 24 hours.

If you have a level under 4.0 pCi/L you do not need to do anything further. However, the EPA says there is no safe level of radon. You may want to conduct a long term test (91 days up to 1 year) to get a long term average. And it is important to test every two years as life style changes and the homes may change.

If you have a level above 4.0 pCi/L and below 10 pCi/L the EPA recommends a long term (91 days to 1 year) be done. We suggest that you consider a radon reduction system or a mitigation system.

If you have a level above 10.0 pCi/L the EPA recommend another short term test, then take the average of both of the tests. Since there is no possible way the average is going to be lower than 4.0 pCi/L, we recommend a radon reduction system or a mitigation system.

The Overall Average is the average of all of the readings taken during the test. The EPA Protocol Average disregards the first 4 hours of the test and averages the remainder of the readings. This is the average we use as the true average. The first 4 hours allows the equipment to come to equilibrium with the home.

Required for short term testing, any test done for 90 days or less.

To get the most accurate reading the EPA recommends closed house conditions for at least 12 hours prior to the start of the test. This means that windows and doors are to be closed. Normal entry and exit is acceptable. Fans are not to be run in the bathrooms, bedrooms or kitchens. Air conditioners, furnaces, and radon reduction systems can be on. But humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air purifiers are to be turned off.

We recommend using the radon monitor manufactured by Family Safety Products out of Grandville, Michigan. This monitor is similar to the carbon monoxide monitors in that it will give you an average reading hourly and an alarm will sound if the reading is over the recommended 4.0 pCi/L (Note that this feature that can be turned off).

To learn more, see the product flier. To purchase, contact Michigan Radon Agency at 1-800-474-1245. Check out these other Links for more Radon Information:

Michigan DEQ

EPA Map of Radon Zones Including Michigan

EPA on Radon

Certified Radon Inspectors in Michigan

Certified Radon Mitigators in Michigan

Recommended Radon Mitigator: Air Quality Control Agency

National Cancer Institute

Cancer Survivors Against Radon: CanSAR   

Radon is the Second Leading Cause of Lung Cancer Killing over 20,000 People Annually.