What Is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer with repeated long-term exposure. Radon gas comes from the decay of radioactive materials in the ground beneath your home and enters through openings in the building shell. The Environmental Protection Agency (www.epa.gov) has set an Action Level of 4.0 picoCuries of radon per Liter of air (4.0 pCi/L) as the number above which some action should be taken to lower the indoor radon levels. For more information you can download: EPA's Citizens Guide to Radon
TriMark can place Charcoal canisters in conjunction with a home inspection as the most cost-effective means of testing a home for radon. The canisters are exposed for a minimum of two (2) days and a maximum of seven (7) days, and then returned to Radon Testing Corporation of America (RTCA) in a prelabeled, prepaid Priority Mail cardboard box. RTCA should email the Site Radon Inspection Report to TriMark within 1 business day after they received the completed test. We will then email you the results and forward the report.
EPA Guidelines for Radon Test:
All windows and exterior doors must be kept closed for 12 hours before the start of the test and keep them closed for the entire test period. Opening and closing of exterior doors should be restricted to normal entry and exit. Do not use any external air exchange systems (e.g., window fans, whole building attic fans, window air conditioning units with the outside air damper open, etc.) for 12 hours before and during the test period. Heating or central air conditioning systems must be operated on their normal settings temperature between 64 - 76 degrees.
Test result reports are normally emailed to TriMark in pdf format within 1 business day from the canister receipt date. The report will then be transmitted to the client via email.
Cost for Radon Test (Continuous Monitor)
$150 — Active testing devices require power to function. Active radon detectors such as continuous radon monitors and continuous working level monitors require operation by trained, state-certified testers. They work by continuously measuring and recording the amount of radon or its decay products in the air of the home. Many of these devices provide a report of this information which can reveal any unusual or abnormal swings in the radon level during the test period. The results of a Continuous Radon test are received within a day or two of the completion of the test.