Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer behind smoking and if you don’t smoke, it is your leading cause of getting lung cancer. The EPA estimates that radon kills more than 20,000 people every year. It is naturally occurring and is produced by decaying uranium in the ground. According to the State of WI, southeastern WI is a hotbed for radon, with estimates of between 10-40% of Southeastern WI homes having levels above the acceptable limit.
In a real estate transaction, radon testing can be accomplished and mitigated along with the home inspection. The EPA recommends that radon levels are below 4.0 pC/l on a test that is performed for a minimum of 48 hours in the lowest potentially lived in section of the house, generally the basement.
We use the Sun Nuclear model 1028 continuous radon monitor. This unit allows for results immediately, no waiting for the results to come back from the lab. All of our machines are re-calibrated annually by the factory to ensure accuracy.
The EPA has put out a guide for buyers and sellers about the effects of radon and how to test for it. Click here to view the EPA guide.
The EPA has also put out a guide outlining the way to properly mitigate for radon and what you as a consumer should look for in a mitigation system. Click here to view the radon reduction guide.