XII. What To Do After You Receive Your Results

This can often be a complicated point in the process. Part of the problem is the media does a good job promoting awareness but does little in the way of providing information. In the course of being a Realtor, I have even encountered radon professionals who do not have a command of the information.

There is a lot of good information availible and most answers can be found in the EPA's Radon Library!

As a rough rule of thumb, keep in mind the following statement by the EPA:



"There is no known safe level of exposure to radon. EPA strongly recommends that you fix your home if your test shows 4 Pico curies (pCi/L) or more. If your test shows between 2 and 4 pCi/L, consider fixing."

My personal thoughts on post-test [short-term] action {I have passed the EPA's Radon Measurement Course}:

First result between 0 and 2 pCi/L:
No follow-up needed.** Your home has low radon levels. Consider doing a long-term test of 91 days or longer.

First result between 2 and 4 pCi/L:
Assess your risk; how much time do you spend in the lower level. Consider mitigating and do conduct a long-term test of 91 days or longer.

First result between 4 and 8 pCi/L:
Do a second short-term test and/or a long-term test of 91 days or longer. If the average of the two short-term tests or the long-term test is above 4 pCi/L, mitigate your home.

First result above 8 pCi/L:
Do a second short-term test to confirm your first test. If second test comes back over 8 pCi/L, decide if you want to mitigate or proceed to a long-term test of 91 days or longer. If the two short-term tests average 12+ pCi/L, you may want to contact a knowledgable radon professional before proceeeding with a long-term test.

** Even homes found with low levels of radon should be tested periodically.