Considering Radon Testing?, Consider This
There are only five Inspectors in the Bozeman area certified to screen for radon. Hiring an inspector who has not taken the time or effort to become certified may produce false results. They obviously are not taking radon seriously and you certainly can not rely on their test results if they don't know or follow the EPA testing procedures.
There are two widely used testing methods.
Carbon Canisters: Activated carbon canisters work by adsorption and retention of radon. The amount of radon absorbed in the collector is determined by counting the gamma rays from the decay products of radon. Carbon canisters measure radon conveniently and adequately when exposed for 72 Hours. For practical situations encountered indoors, the device yields results accurate to within +/-20%. Problems: While carbon canisters work well in testing your own home where you have control over the test site. Real estate transactions require a 48 hour test period. EPA protocol requires two test units be set side by side 4 inches apart in the lowest usable living space of the home away from window, doors and drafts. The results of the two test are to be averaged to determine the need for mitigation. The results of these devises can easily be manipulated by simply covering the canister. Many inspectors use only one $6.00 canister and I have personally witnessed cases of improper use of these canisters being placed in crawlspaces and closets.
Continuous Radon Monitors: A continuous radon monitor (CRM) is an active radon monitor. The CRM is electronic and therefore requires some sort of power to operate. Advantages of doing a continuous radon monitor test are the ability to time integrate the radon measurement, radon monitors have a digital readout that can be set to display the current radon level or the long term average radon level. They collect and store their measurement data which is downloaded and used to generate various reports about the radon measurement. Continuous radon monitors are very expensive and require a trained, skilled operator.
Environmental Health Center RADON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
EPA has set strict testing procedures when screening for radon levels. Inspectors that are not certified may not follow the proper protocol which will lead to inconclusive or false results. If your paying $ 90.00 - $135.00 for radon screening it makes sense that it be performed correctly by a certified individual.
Advantage Property Inspections, Inc is certified by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) and listed with the EPA as a Residential Radon Measurement Provider.
API uses continuous radon monitors which are by far the most accurate, reliable and tamper proof radon testing devices. API results are available at the end of testing, no waiting for lab reports. VIEW API RADON REPORT