“Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer. Radon gas is inert, colorless and odorless. Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue. Most radon exposure occurs inside homes, schools and workplaces. Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Indoor radon can be controlled and managed with proven, cost-effective techniques.
Breathing radon over time increases your risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Nationally, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.
You can take steps to reduce and control the amount of radon in your home. Testing is the only way to determine radon levels. Have your home tested, either by a professional or with a do-it-yourself home test kit. If radon levels are high, contact a certified radon service professional to fix your home. EPA guidance suggests mitigating if levels are at or above 148 Bq/m3 (4 pCi/L). Usually, radon problems are fixed using an underground ventilation system or by increasing the rate of air changes in the building.”
“Radon comes from the breakdown of naturally-occurring radioactive elements (such as uranium and thorium) in soils and rocks. As part of the radioactive decay process, radon gas is produced. The gas moves up through the soil to the surface, where it can enter homes, schools and the workplace through cracks and other holes in the foundation. In some cases, radon can enter buildings through well water and come from building materials. Any home can have a radon problem – old or new homes, well-sealed or drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.”
Multifamily Radon uses harmless passive radon testing devices to test for radon. These devices are packets or canisters that are opened and exposed to the air in a room for a specific period. At the conclusion of the test period the devices are collected and sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine whether radon was detected.
Multifamily Radon works with our customers (or their designated property personnel) to coordinate a date and time to perform the placement and pickup of the radon tests. We work with properties to advise about tenant notifications and we can supply information sheets to assure tenants that radon testing is safe and harmless.
Testing costs vary based on a number of factors such as the size of the property, the location, and the building configuration. A personalized quote is prepared up front and there are no hidden fees or unexpected add-on costs.
The radon tests are placed in residential units in accordance with NRPP and state requirements.
The placement and pickup of radon test devices only takes about 2 minutes per residential unit.
Yes, the radon testing device is harmless and will be placed at a location inside the unit where it is not likely to be disturbed. Closed conditions need to be maintained at the unit during testing, so doors and windows have to remain shut.
After the radon testing devicess have been retrieved, Multifamily Radon ships the radon devices to an EPA-approved laboratory for analysis. Test results are typically available in less than one week.
The radon test results are provided to the customer in a written report.
Multifamily Radon has extensive experience with guidelines for acceptable radon levels that have been issued by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, HUD and lenders themselves. Based on the radon guidelines applicable to your transaction, Multifamily Radon will recommend further action if necessary. Further action could consist of long-term radon testing, but also may include radon mitigation. Multifamily Radon does not perform mitigation services, but our report will provide recommendations for further action so that a mitigation contractor can step in.
For more information on radon visit: www.epa.gov/radon