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The members of the Coastal Connecticut Chapter of the American Society of Home Inspectors would like to clarify some common misconceptions about radon testing. Radon is a naturally occurring carcinogenic gas that is emitted from the earth and water. One should minimize exposure to all carcinogens. Fortunately radon is a carcinogen that we can reduce our exposure to, as it is usually easily detected and remediated in a home.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that a long-term test be performed to realize your overall exposure to radon. However, with the time restraints of purchasing a house, logistics don't always allow long-term testing. The EPA and CT Department of Public Health (DPH) therefore recommend a "Short-term" test method that should identify potential radon exposure. In order for this quick test to work effectively certain testing parameters must be followed. The highlights of those parameters are as follows:
1. The entire house must be closed for at least twelve hours before the test starts and must stay closed, with the exception of normal entry and exiting, for the entire duration of the test. This means
all doors and windows.
2. No exhaust fans or exhausting air conditioners can be used during the test.
3. There should be two canister type devices, placed side by side, or a continuous monitor placed in the lowest finished or potentially livable area of the house that does not require renovations.
4. If radon mitigation equipment is present this equipment should be on for twenty-four hours before the test and left on for the duration of the test to verify that the equipment is operating effectively.
These short-term tests cannot guarantee that there will not be elevated levels of radon in your house at a different time of the year, but not doing a radon test in accordance with EPA guidelines greatly increases the potential of unknowingly and unnecessarily being exposed to radon.
DPH and the members of Coastal CT ASHI suggest that once you have moved into a house with an initial short-term test of between 2-4 picocuries per liter, that you have a year-long radon test performed to find your overall exposure to radon. This will not only give you even more peace of mind if the long-term test results are low, but also provide you with valuable data to make an informed decision about mitigation if the long-term test is elevated.
For further information on radon, please contact the Connecticut DPH Radon Program at (860) 509-7367 or ask your Coastal CT ASHI inspector for assistance.
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