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Radon Gas Info

Tue, 09/16/2008 - 20:22 — JoeTribuzio


THIS INSPECTOR IS LICENSED BY ILLINOIS  EMERGENCY  MANAGEMENT AGENCY'S  DIVISION OF NUCLEAR SAFETY (DNS) AS A RADON MEASUREMENT TECHNICIAN.  WE USE CONTINUOUS RADON MONITORS (CRMS) WHICH WILL RECORD HOURLY DATA AND CAN DETECT TAMPERING.  TEST RESULT REPORTS ARE AVAILABLE  ON THE SAME DAY AS THE END OF THE TEST.
LEARN ABOUT CLOSED BUILDING CONDITIONS

World Health Organization - Radon page

RADON IS A COLORLESS , ODORLESS, TASTELESS RADIOACTIVE INVISIBLE GAS THAT COMES FROM THE SOIL- NOT THE HOME, NO HOME IS EXEMPT FROM THE POTENTIAL TO HAVE RADON, IN FACT MOST HOMES WILL HAVE SOME.

RADON GAS IS PRODUCED FROM THE NATURAL BREAKDOWN OF URANIUM IN SOIL , ROCK AND WATER, IT IS LIGHTER THAN AIR AND MOVES UP INTO THE HOME THROUGH CRACKS AND HOLES IN THE FOUNDATION; ANY PLACE WATER SEEPAGE CAN BE FOUND IS A POSSIBLE ENTRY POINT FOR RADON GAS AS WELL. ABOUT 38% OF HOMESIN CHICAGOLAND AREA WERE FOUND TO HAVE ELEVATED LEVELS OF RADON.
 
RADON IS A CLASS A CARCINOGEN THAT IS KNOWN TO CAUSE LUNG CANCER IN HUMANS, AND IS THE LEADING CAUSE AMONG PEOPLE WHO NEVER SMOKED. SECOND ONLY TO SMOKING AS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE. IT IS ESTIMATED TO CAUSE BETWEEN 15,000 TO 22,000 LUNG CANCER DEATHS A YEAR.
 
IF IT IS FOUND IN LEVELS ABOVE 4pCiL YOUR HOME, IT CAN BE EASILY FIXED (MITIGATED) TO REDUCE LEVELS TO A MORE ACCEPTABLE RANGE. THE COST IS NOT MUCH MORE THAN A TYPICAL HOME REPAIR.

A MEASUREMENT TECHNICIAN CAN NOT INSTALL MITIGATION SYSTEMS, STATE PROCEEDURES HELP AVOID INHERENT CONFLICTS OF INTEREST THAT CAN ARISE.

 

Closed Building Conditions

  1. All windows in the home on all levels must be kept closed.
  2. All exterior doors must be kept closed except for normal entry and exit (60 seconds or less).
  3. If occupied, the HVAC system should be used to keep the home at a comfortable temperature for the residents. The fan status must be in the AUTO mode.
  4. If vacant, or if the residents are out of town, the HVAC system must be set to a temperature between 67-77°F with the fan in the AUTO mode.
  5. The thermostat can be reset to the initial settings at the end of the test.
  6. If present and manually controlled, the whole house fan should be off.
  7. If the fireplace has a damper, the fireplace may not be used and the damper must be closed if functional.
  8. Clothes dryers, range hoods, and bathroom exhaust fans can be used in moderation.
  9. Ceiling fans, portable dehumidifiers and air cleaners are not to be used within 20 feet of a monitor.
  10. If the home has a mitigation system, it must be functioning.
  11. Accessible windows and exterior doors on the lowest level of the home may have been sealed with red anti-tampering tapes that must remain intact for a valid test. Additional costs will be incurred to reseal windows or doors and reset the test if any tapes are disturbed.
  12. One or more conditions above were not met when the technician set up the test. The state requires that the minimum testing period be extended from 48 to 72 hours.
  13. Regardless of the minimum test duration, all Closed Building Conditions must be maintained until the monitor(s) are retrieved. The test is not concluded until the equipment is removed by a representative of THIS Inc.
  14. If you are aware of any of the above conditions not being met for the 12 hours prior to the start of the testing period, please call our office immediately.
  15. Reports of Closed Building Condition violations cannot be considered after the results of the test are released.