According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), 40% of homes in Pennsylvania have radon levelsabove the recommended guidelines.
Recently, my home required a radon mitigation system installed by a local company. During the process, I had the opportunity to inquire about radon and the mitigation process.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is released into the air and soil naturally when uranium in the soil and rock begin to decay. In a structure, radon is usually detected at its highest level in the lowest level of the home. Since radon levels can change, it is recommended to have periodic testing done. According to the PA DEP, the recommended yearly radon level must be below 4.0pCi/L. If your home tests are higher, radon must be mitigated to prevent severe illnesses such as lung cancer. In Pennsylvania, remediation must be completed by a professional radon tester / mitigator certified through the PA DEP. Mitigators should have a Pennsylvania Home Improvement Contractor (HIC) license. Radon remediation is a simple and affordable way to reduce high radon levels. The system draws air from under the home’s lowest level and removes it through an outside exhaust system. The cost of running the fan, which uses electricity, is minimal. The remediation system is self-sufficient and requires little to no maintenance. It is a very user-friendly system with a U-tube monitor on the interior pipe that allows direct viewing of the operation of the radon fan. Once the mitigation system is in place, the radon levels are retested to ensure the system is properly working and meets the PA DEP guidelines for safety.
Order A Radon Home Test Kit
It is essential to stay safe. Radon should be tested every 2-3 years by a professional radon tester or a radon test kit, which can be purchased here. For more information regarding Pennsylvania state guidelines and radon, please visit: Radon in the Home (pa.gov)Radon Test Kit: $20-$100