Quality Pro Home Inspections

“Saving Lives By Testing For Radon”

Virginia requires Certification by either the NATIONAL RADON SAFETY BOARD or the NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION RADON PROFICIENCY PROGRAM for all Radon Reduction/Mitigation Systems as well as Measurement and Analysis.

National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) Radon Measurement Specialist NRSB 7SS0015

National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) Radon Mitigator NRSB 7G0004

National Environmental Health Association National Radon Proficiency Program (NEHA/NRPP) Radon Measurement Provider Certification 104242 RT

The EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes for RADON.
The Surgeon General and EPA recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. For more information: go to the EPA website and The Surgeon General, United States Department of Health and Human Services’ website, for a Health Advisory on Radon.

The EPA distinguishes between 2 types of Radon testing in homes. They are done in the same manner, but the EPA Protocol is different depending on whether you are testing a home that is part of a real estate transaction (Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon) or if you are testing your own home (A Citizen’s Guide to Radon).

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon.
A Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) samples the air hourly, stores the result and calculates an average Radon level over the length of the test. At the conclusion of the test, a printer is attached to the CRM and a graph of the hourly Radon readings and the overall average is produced for immediate results. The CRM is particularly useful when a Real Estate transaction is involved, due to the quick turnaround time and immediate results of the test. The use of this monitor is approved by the EPA.

This testing service is available with the home inspection for an additional charge. We recommend placing the (CRM) electronic testing device in the home 2 days prior to the inspection, so the results will be available at the time the inspection is completed.

Radon can be found all over the U.S.
Radon is a radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Radon can also enter your home through well water. Your home can trap radon inside. Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. In fact, you and your family are most likely to get your greatest radiation exposure at home. That is where you spend most of your time.

Radon is estimated to cause thousands of lung cancer deaths per year.
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall. Moreover, Southwest Virginia has some of the highest levels of radon in the country. (See the EPA’s Radon Zone Map for Virginia).

The U.S. Geological Survey has compiled a series of geologic radon potential assessments for the United States in cooperation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The geologic radon potential reports describe the geology, soils, radioactivity, generalized housing construction characteristics, and other relevant information, and include discussions of the geologic factors controlling radon potential in each state. The USGS geologic radon potential reports are available from the website. You can also go to the EPA’s website for more information.

You can fix a Radon problem
Radon reduction systems work and they are not too costly. Fix your home if your Radon level is 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Please click here to get more information on Radon Mitigation!

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