(701)566-1446
Radon FAQ
What does Radon mean?
What health symptoms are there with Radon?
What are the health risks with elevated Radon levels?
What are the chances to have elevated levels in Minnesota or North Dakota?
Should every home be tested for Radon?
My neighbor got a high reading, does that mean I have a high reading too?
My house have been vacant and closed up for several months, will that affect the results?
Can the Radon test be done in an unfinished basement?
What levels of Radon are acceptable?
My radon levels are between 0 to 2 Picocuries. What should I do?
My radon levels are between 2 to 4 Picocuries. What should I do?
My radon levels are between 4 to 10 Picocuries. What should I do?
My radon levels are higher than 10 Picocuries. What should I do?
How does a Radon mitigation system work?
How much does it cost to have a Radon mitigation system installed?
How often should I check for Radon?
How much does a Radon test cost?
My Radon test came out too high, what do I do?
What health symptoms are there with Radon?
What are the health risks with elevated Radon levels?
What are the chances to have elevated levels in Minnesota or North Dakota?
Should every home be tested for Radon?
My neighbor got a high reading, does that mean I have a high reading too?
My house have been vacant and closed up for several months, will that affect the results?
Can the Radon test be done in an unfinished basement?
What levels of Radon are acceptable?
My radon levels are between 0 to 2 Picocuries. What should I do?
My radon levels are between 2 to 4 Picocuries. What should I do?
My radon levels are between 4 to 10 Picocuries. What should I do?
My radon levels are higher than 10 Picocuries. What should I do?
How does a Radon mitigation system work?
How much does it cost to have a Radon mitigation system installed?
How often should I check for Radon?
How much does a Radon test cost?
My Radon test came out too high, what do I do?
What does Radon mean?
Uranium is a radioactive metallic chemical element found in soil, rocks, and ground and surface water. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of Radium, and Radium is a decay product from Uranium.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that seeps into your house, and will increase the chances of getting lung cancer depending on how the levels are.
Top of the page
Uranium is a radioactive metallic chemical element found in soil, rocks, and ground and surface water. Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural decay of Radium, and Radium is a decay product from Uranium.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that seeps into your house, and will increase the chances of getting lung cancer depending on how the levels are.
Top of the page
What health symptoms are there with radon?
There is no documentation of short term symptoms for exposure to Radon. If you are exposed to high radon levels, it will take years before noticing any kinds of symptoms.
You will not under any circumstances get symptoms such as headaches, joint pain, rashes, or stomach or sinus problems from exposure to Radon.
Top of the page
There is no documentation of short term symptoms for exposure to Radon. If you are exposed to high radon levels, it will take years before noticing any kinds of symptoms.
You will not under any circumstances get symptoms such as headaches, joint pain, rashes, or stomach or sinus problems from exposure to Radon.
Top of the page
What are the health risks with elevated radon levels?
Over many years of exposure to high levels of Radon, your chances to get lung cancer will increase.
If you are a smoker, the risks will increase dramatically.
Click here to see the risk with the different levels of Radon.
Top of the page
Over many years of exposure to high levels of Radon, your chances to get lung cancer will increase.
If you are a smoker, the risks will increase dramatically.
Click here to see the risk with the different levels of Radon.
Top of the page
What are the chances to have elevated levels in Minnesota or North Dakota?
North Dakota and Western Minnesota is a Zone 1 area, which means an area with a higher possibility of elevated Radon levels. Around 50% of all houses in this area are likely to have dangerous levels of Radon.
Radon map USA
Top of the page
North Dakota and Western Minnesota is a Zone 1 area, which means an area with a higher possibility of elevated Radon levels. Around 50% of all houses in this area are likely to have dangerous levels of Radon.
Radon map USA
Top of the page
Should every home be tested for radon?
Yes. Personally, I would never move into a home without knowing the Radon levels in the house. Since Radon levels fluctuate, not only from hour to hour, but also from year to year, the EPA recommend to test your house for Radon every 2-5 years.
Top of the page
Yes. Personally, I would never move into a home without knowing the Radon levels in the house. Since Radon levels fluctuate, not only from hour to hour, but also from year to year, the EPA recommend to test your house for Radon every 2-5 years.
Top of the page
My neighbor got a high reading, does that mean I have a high reading too?
No. There is really no logic to where the levels are too high. Your neighbor 15' away could have an average of 22 Picocuries, while you could have 1,9 Picocuries.
Top of the page
No. There is really no logic to where the levels are too high. Your neighbor 15' away could have an average of 22 Picocuries, while you could have 1,9 Picocuries.
Top of the page
My house have been vacant and closed up for several 
months, will that affect the results?
The EPA recommend to have all windows and doors closed at the minimum of 12 hours before the Radon testing starts. This because Radon levels stabilize within about 12 hours, and
since Radon is radioactive, it is breaking down continuously. Lets say you have a box with 1/2 pound of Radon, after 80 hours it will be down to 1/4, as the Radon will transform into other elements. (Like Lead, Bismuth, and Polonium).
After 80 more hours the box with Radon are likely to be empty.
Even though a home is closed up it will still breath, and there will be several air changes a day.
Top of the page
months, will that affect the results?The EPA recommend to have all windows and doors closed at the minimum of 12 hours before the Radon testing starts. This because Radon levels stabilize within about 12 hours, and
since Radon is radioactive, it is breaking down continuously. Lets say you have a box with 1/2 pound of Radon, after 80 hours it will be down to 1/4, as the Radon will transform into other elements. (Like Lead, Bismuth, and Polonium).
After 80 more hours the box with Radon are likely to be empty.
Even though a home is closed up it will still breath, and there will be several air changes a day.
Top of the page
Can the radon test be done in an unfinished basement?
It is recommended to do the Radon test at the lowest living area in the house. If you spend only 15-20 minutes a day in your unfinished basement, it will be more interesting for you to know the results in a living area you spend most of your time. It is only recommended to do a Radon test in your unfinished basement if you are planning to make it a living area in the future.
Top of the page
It is recommended to do the Radon test at the lowest living area in the house. If you spend only 15-20 minutes a day in your unfinished basement, it will be more interesting for you to know the results in a living area you spend most of your time. It is only recommended to do a Radon test in your unfinished basement if you are planning to make it a living area in the future.
Top of the page
What levels of radon are acceptable?
The EPA recommend to have mitigation system installed if the levels are 4.0 Picocuries or higher, and to consider mitigation if the levels are between 2.0 and 3.9 Picocuries.
It will be up to each individual when to install a mitigation system, but the higher levels the higher risks.
Top of the page
The EPA recommend to have mitigation system installed if the levels are 4.0 Picocuries or higher, and to consider mitigation if the levels are between 2.0 and 3.9 Picocuries.
It will be up to each individual when to install a mitigation system, but the higher levels the higher risks.
Top of the page
My radon levels are between 0 to 2 Picocuries. What should I do?
Nothing. These numbers almost as low as it gets, and there should be no reason to do any mitigation, but test for Radon again within the next 2-5 years.
Click on this link to see the risks
Top of the page
Nothing. These numbers almost as low as it gets, and there should be no reason to do any mitigation, but test for Radon again within the next 2-5 years.
Click on this link to see the risks
Top of the page
My radon levels are between 2 to 4 Picocuries. What should I do?
These levels are still low, but it would be optional to install a mitigation system as the chances for lung cancer have slightly increased from a really a number between 0 - 2.
Click on this link to see the risks
Top of the page
These levels are still low, but it would be optional to install a mitigation system as the chances for lung cancer have slightly increased from a really a number between 0 - 2.
Click on this link to see the risks
Top of the page
My radon levels are between 4 to 10 Picocuries. What should I do?
With levels between 4 and 10 Picocuries it is recommended to install a mitigation system, as the chances to get lung cancer now are increased with up to 8-9 times compared to having a Radon levels of for example 2 Picocuries.
Click on this link to see the risks
Top of the page
With levels between 4 and 10 Picocuries it is recommended to install a mitigation system, as the chances to get lung cancer now are increased with up to 8-9 times compared to having a Radon levels of for example 2 Picocuries.
Click on this link to see the risks
Top of the page
My radon levels are higher than 10 Picocuries. What should I do?
It is strongly recommended to have a mitigation system installed with Radon levels higher than 10 Picocuries. 18 out of 1000 people will get lung cancer with 10 Picocuries, and 150 out 1000 if you are a smoker.
With 20 Picocuries 36 out 1000 will get lung cancer, and 260 out of 1000 if you are a smoker.
Click on this link to see the risks
Top of the page
It is strongly recommended to have a mitigation system installed with Radon levels higher than 10 Picocuries. 18 out of 1000 people will get lung cancer with 10 Picocuries, and 150 out 1000 if you are a smoker.
With 20 Picocuries 36 out 1000 will get lung cancer, and 260 out of 1000 if you are a smoker.
Click on this link to see the risks
Top of the page
How does a radon mitigation system work?
The most common mitigation system is a slab depressurization system.A fan will be installed either in the attic or outside the building, to draw air from below your concrete slab.If this is done correctly, the area below the slab becomes negative in pressure compared to the air above the slab.This will cause the airflow from the soil to reverse and go back to the soil, and effectively stop all infiltration of Radon to your house. If you have a crawlspace, a vapor barrier have to be installed to cover the crawlspace completely.
Top of the page
The most common mitigation system is a slab depressurization system.A fan will be installed either in the attic or outside the building, to draw air from below your concrete slab.If this is done correctly, the area below the slab becomes negative in pressure compared to the air above the slab.This will cause the airflow from the soil to reverse and go back to the soil, and effectively stop all infiltration of Radon to your house. If you have a crawlspace, a vapor barrier have to be installed to cover the crawlspace completely.
Top of the page
How much does it cost to have Radon mitigation system installed?
Depending on the type of structure and size of the house, a Radon mitigation system normally runs between $1000 to $1500.
Top of the page
Depending on the type of structure and size of the house, a Radon mitigation system normally runs between $1000 to $1500.
Top of the page
How often should I check for radon?
As the Radon levels fluctuated not only hour by hour, but also from year to year, the EPA recommend to test your house every 2-5 years.
Top of the page
As the Radon levels fluctuated not only hour by hour, but also from year to year, the EPA recommend to test your house every 2-5 years.
Top of the page
How much does a radon test cost?
Having a Radon test professionally done will cost between $80 and $150.
Top of the page
Having a Radon test professionally done will cost between $80 and $150.
Top of the page
My radon test came out too high, what do I do?
Contact a couple of different local mitigation contractors, ask for references and a estimate. Install a Radon mitigation system in you home.
Top of the page
Contact a couple of different local mitigation contractors, ask for references and a estimate. Install a Radon mitigation system in you home.
Top of the page
______________________________________________________________________________________
Home | Radon Testing | About Radon | Risks with Radon | Contact us
Recently Served areas
Recently Served areas
Audubon Radon Testing | Barnesville Radon Testing | Buffalo Radon Testing | Casselton Radon Testing
Dent Radon Testing | Detroit Lakes Radon Testing | Dilworth Radon Testing | Fargo Radon Testing
Glyndon Radon Testing | Harwood Radon Testing | Hawley Radon Testing | Hendrum Radon Testing
Horace Radon Testing | Hunter Radon Testing | Kindred Radon Testing | Lake Park Radon Testing
Lisbon Radon Testing | Mapleton Radon Testing | Moorhead Radon Testing | Valley City Radon Testing
Pelican Rapids Radon Testing | Rothsay Radon Testing | Wahpeton Radon Testing | Waubun Radon Testing
West Fargo Radon Testing | Wyndmere Radon Testing
Dent Radon Testing | Detroit Lakes Radon Testing | Dilworth Radon Testing | Fargo Radon Testing
Glyndon Radon Testing | Harwood Radon Testing | Hawley Radon Testing | Hendrum Radon Testing
Horace Radon Testing | Hunter Radon Testing | Kindred Radon Testing | Lake Park Radon Testing
Lisbon Radon Testing | Mapleton Radon Testing | Moorhead Radon Testing | Valley City Radon Testing
Pelican Rapids Radon Testing | Rothsay Radon Testing | Wahpeton Radon Testing | Waubun Radon Testing
West Fargo Radon Testing | Wyndmere Radon Testing
