Radon Testing
All Keystone Inspectors are registered Radon Measurement Technicians with the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJ DEP).
What is Radon and why is it a concern?
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of naturally occurring uranium in soil and rock. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless, and can only be detected by specialized tests. Radon enters homes through openings that are in contact with the ground, such as cracks in the foundation, small openings around pipes, and sump pits.
Radon, like other radioactive materials, undergoes radioactive decay that forms decay products. Radon and its decay products release radioactive energy that can damage lung tissue.
The more radon you are exposed to, and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of eventually developing lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, resulting in 15,000 to 22,000 deaths per year.
Testing your home for radon is easy and homes with high levels of radon can be fixed (mitigated). The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) recommends that all homes be tested for radon.
Keystone Home Inspections of NJ utilizes Charcoal Canisters to perform Radon Tests.
This method uses activated charcoal to "absorb" the Radon gas in its inert stage (prior to decay). The canister is placed in the lowest available living area (usually the basement) where Radon levels tend to be the highest. Charcoal canisters must be left on-site for a minimum of 48 hours to a maximum of 6 days. At the conclusion of the testing period, the canister is sealed up and sent to an EPA certified laboratory for testing. If the concentrated radon level exceeds 4 pCi/l (picocuries per liter), it is considered "unacceptable" and mitigation options may need to be considered.
Keystone Home Inspections of NJ is affiliated with RAdata's testing lab.