By Insoo Park, CEO – Ecosense
When radon monitoring reveals elevated indoor radon concentrations, homeowners must take immediate action. The consequences of ignoring the problem or delaying mitigation are severe. Long-term exposure to high levels of radon is the leading cause of non-smoking lung cancer deaths, accounting for the loss of an estimated 21,000 lives per year in the US alone.
However, determining the best course for radon mitigation can be challenging. It requires that homeowners evaluate several factors to obtain the data needed to make an informed decision. By taking the right steps, homeowners can ensure that their choice of a radon mitigation system is a wise investment that effectively reduces their exposure.
Conducting a reliable pre-mitigation test
Radon is an invisible, tasteless, and odorless gas present in every home. Prolonged exposure to elevated radon levels can significantly increase the likelihood of developing lung cancer. Testing is the only way to determine a home’s radon level.
Several testing options are available, from conventional single-use charcoal test kits to modern radon monitoring devices that leverage the latest technology to provide incremental readings. For the most reliable pre-mitigation evaluation, homeowners should use a smart device with real-time and continuous monitoring capabilities.
The ideal device will provide trend charts that show fluctuations in radon levels in real time. It would also offer a mobile app for tracking and accessing the relationship between radon entry, house operation, and lifestyle.
Knowing when to take action
If the average indoor radon level exceeds the action level of 4 pCi/L prescribed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it’s crucial to immediately contact a certified radon professional. Since reducing concentrations of less than 4 pCi/L still provides lung cancer risk reduction, the EPA recommends that homeowners consider mitigation if the average levels reach 2 pCi/L or higher. The World Health Organization has set a guideline for an action level of 2.7 pCi/L.
To understand the urgency of taking action, consider that breathing air containing 2 pCi/L of radon has the same impact on an adult lung as smoking four cigarettes a day.
Even if initial readings appear to be low or moderate, homeowners should continue monitoring for at least the next 90 days. Monitoring for an extended period is vital for characterizing the natural fluctuations of radon gas. Levels can vary throughout the day or from season to season. Long-term radon monitoring reveals the “big picture” of the occupant’s overall exposure to radon indoors that a one-time test cannot predict.
Evaluating mitigation companies
Many companies claim to have radon mitigation expertise. The stakes involved, however, make it essential that homeowners identify and hire a qualified and experienced company.
Select a contractor certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB). A company with either credential will have professionals trained in the most effective methods of designing and installing mitigation systems.
Contractors should provide a system design customized for the home’s specific needs. There is not a one-size-fits-all system for radon mitigation. Various factors must be considered, such as the home’s design, the soil type, and the levels of radon present.
As you interview contractors, inquire about their diagnostic methods for locating radon hotspots and entry points. Contractors that gather and utilize data are better equipped to design an effective solution. Checking references, reading reviews, and viewing examples of previous work can also help to confirm their reliability and quality.
It’s also important to look for companies that offer a warranty and post-mitigation monitoring service. While the EPA recommends that a short-term test be performed within 24 hours of installation, another test after 30 days, and retesting every two years thereafter, continuous radon monitoring is much more reliable and often less expensive in the long run.
Dispelling the myths of radon risks
Numerous myths about radon mislead homeowners regarding its risks. Some of the more common include the belief that radon is only a concern for those in older homes with basements, individuals with neighbors who tested high for radon, or those living in areas marked as “Zone 1” on radon maps. The reality is that high radon levels are detected in old homes or new homes, with or without basements, and almost any geographic location. The only way to know is to test.
Tragically, lung cancer caused by radon exposure is typically undiagnosed until it reaches stage 4 and has metastasized. In other words, it’s a silent killer that can only be identified and exposed by effective radon testing.
Today’s cutting-edge monitors are easy-use radon testing kits that quickly reveal whether homeowners must take action. They essentially provide lung cancer prevention technology that identifies risks before life-threatening damage can occur.
— Insoo Park is CEO of Ecosense, an innovator in the radon gas monitoring industry providing people peace of mind through its intelligent and highly accurate radon detectors for homes, educational campuses, assisted living centers, community centers, and commercial buildings. The company’s smart real-time radon detectors utilize a patented ion chamber detection technology with high-accuracy performance capable of delivering the first radon result in minutes not days.
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