Why Would a Homebuyer Need Radon Testing In Maryland?
Radon is a radioactive gas that you cannot see, smell or taste and is connected to over 20,000 lung cancer- related deaths per year according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Baltimore-Washington area has been classified as a region with higher potential for elevated radon levels. When you inhale air that has been contaminated by radon the odds of getting lung cancer can increase drastically.
According to the EPA, those living in a home exposed to radon have a far greater chance of getting lung cancer because they live in a high-risk zone. Consequently the only way to determine how much radon is in your home is to get a radon test. For this reason, when a home contains significant radon levels, it is possible to remove it, reducing the odds of getting lung cancer.
- A radon technician will place the radon test kit as directed by EPA Guidelines.
- The radon test is placed in the lowest habitable area of the home, typically a basement.
- After 48 to 72, hours a radon technician will return to retrieve the radon test kit from your home anywhere in the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. metro area.
- We will need access to the home to collect the radon test kit.
- The results of your radon test are then processed at our in-house lab and emailed directly to you both the homebuyer and real estate agent.
Maryland Radon Testing Requirements:
When you work with 4U Inspection Services, you can expect us to test for radon, explain our testing requirements, and educate you about the risks associated with radon.
- All windows and doors must remain closed at all times except for entering and exiting the home.
- Please do not use External-Internal air exchange systems such as the attic and window fans. These objects cannot be used.
- Central air-conditioning can be used, providing it does not vent outside air into the home.
- You can't use fireplaces - you may use a wood stove.
- In addition, the testing apparatus must not be moved or disturbed in any way.
Facts About Radon
- Radon causes close to 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. In fact, radon is found in 1 in every 15 homes throughout the Baltimore, MD metro area.
- Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, superseded only by tobacco use.
- The harmful gas commonly comes from the soil underneath the home (as much as 95% of the time!)
- Radon is a radioactive gas, which means that let alone breathing it in will expose you to radiation.
Factors That Lead to a Radon Problem Include:
- How potent the radon source is.
- How easy it enters the home
- Building Ventilation
Radon can enter your home at any place at any time even through well water. As a matter of fact some entry points include cracks in the foundation, basement walls, and floors. Nevertheless it’s easier than ever to get your home tested for a radon problem! In fact, 4u Inspection Services can conduct a radon test in your home in as little as 48 to 72 hours! Last but not least to learn more about our Maryland radon testing services, call 1-443-539–8710 or schedule your appointment online today!
How Radon Enters a Home
