Radon Testing

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the ground. Radon is odorless, tasteless and colorless, and can enter a home through cracks in floors, basement walls, foundations and other openings. Radon can be present at high levels inside homes, schools and other buildings. Nationally, it is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked.

 

Here in West Virginia, about 29% of radon test results equal or exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level of 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter of air), according to the Lung Association’s “State of Lung Cancer” report. That breaks down to roughly 1 in 5 homes. 

“Radon in homes is more common than you think. In fact, high levels of radioactive radon gas have been found in every state but most places in the country remain undertested, so this isn’t something that should be taken lightly. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States,” said Kevin Stewart, Director, Environmental Health for the Lung Association. “Testing for radon is the only way to know if the air in your home is safe.

 

After high levels are detected, a radon professional should install a radon mitigation system, which is easy and relatively affordable. A typical radon mitigation system consists of a vent pipe, fan and properly sealing cracks and other openings. This system collects radon gas from underneath the foundation and vents it to the outside. Contact your state radon program for a list of certified professionals in your state. Some state health departments offer financial assistance or low interest loans for radon mitigation.
 

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Summary of USEPA radon risk zones in West Virginia:
 

Zone 1 (high risk- red) – 20 counties: Berkeley,
Brooke, Grant, Greenbrier, Hampshire, Hancock,
Hardy, Jefferson, Mercer, Marshall, Mineral,
Monongalia, Monroe, Morgan, Ohio, Pendleton,
Pocahontas, Preston, Summers and Wetzel.
 

 Zone 2 (moderate risk- orange) – 29 counties: Barbour, Braxton, Cabell, Calhoun, Clay,
Doddridge, Fayette, Gilmer, Harrison, Jackson, Lewis, Lincoln, Marion, Mason, Nicholas,
Pleasant, Putnam, Raleigh, Randolph, Ritchie, Roane, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Upshur,
Wayne, Webster, Wirt and Wood.
 

Zone 3 (low risk- yellow) – 6 counties: Kanawha, Boone, Logan, Wyoming, Mingo and
McDowell.

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How it works

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A Certified Radon Measurement Professional will come to your home and place the radon monitor in the lowest livable area. Once the monitor is activated, it will run for 48 hours and then turn off automatically. After testing is complete, the RMP will pick up the monitor. The data is then downloaded from the monitor and a report is created showing hourly radon levels, temperature, humidity levels, and whether the monitor was tampered with during the testing process. The report is then sent to the homeowner by email. 

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Radon testing typically cost $175. Some variables may contribute to price variances. (adding on to general home inspection, travel distance, etc.)

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