1. Radon: An Environmental Issue in Homes, Schools and the Workplace
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2. What Is Radon? Radon is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas
It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and Canada, next to cigarette smoke
Radon comes from the ground and can be found in the air we breathe and the water we drink

3. What Is Radon?
Radon comes from a natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock
It can be found in any home, school, office, public building
Experts can detect, measure and remediate radon from homes, schools and workplaces
Radon testing and remediation is quick and inexpensive

4. Radon
The amount of radon in the air is measured in picocuries per liter of air or pCi/L
Two types of short-term testing methods:
1. Active
2. Passive
Source: Zone and legend map provided by EPA Web site

5. Radon Testing Methods: Active
Uses active devices (electric power required)
Continuous radon monitors
Continuous working level monitors
Requires operation by trained testers
Provides a continuous report of radon levels present
Reveals unusual or abnormal swings in the levels during the test period
Costs more than passive device
Ensures a more reliable short-term test result

6. Radon Testing Methods: Passive
Uses passive devices (no electric power needed)
Charcoal canisters
Alpha-track detectors
Charcoal liquid scintillation
Electret ion chambers (EIC)

7. Radon Testing Guidelines
Testing device should be placed at the lowest living area of the home
Minimum test period of 48 hours
Ensure that the test is approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or your state or province’s requirement

8. Radon Testing: Canisters
E-perm results can be calculated immediately upon retrieval of canister following the test period
E–perm uses EIC technology

9. Radon Testing: Continuous Monitors
Instant results are available at the push of a button following the test period

10. Radon Mitigation Systems
What level of radon is unsafe? When should you mitigate the radon level in a house?
EPA Guidelines:
With active (continuous monitoring) testing, at 4.0 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends installing a radon mitigation system
With passive (canisters) testing, average the results of two canisters or average results from back-to-back tests, then mitigate if results are 4.0 pCi/L or above

11. Choosing a Radon Mitigation System
When selecting a radon mitigation system for your home, you and your contractor should consider several things:
How high the radon level is in your home's key living areas
The cost of radon mitigation system installation
Radon mitigation system operation costs
Your house size and type of foundation.
In most cases, a system with a vent pipe and fan is used to reduce radon.

12. Contact your local NPI inspector today to obtain a quote or schedule an inspection.