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Q: What is all the "hype" about radon?
A:
Radon may reach higher concentrations in buildings than outside due to the dynamic forces of construction characteristics
and quantities of radon beneath the home. Breathing in radon, like smoking, causes lung cancer. It is this continual
exposure to elevated levels of radon gas that causes lung cancer in about 20,000 people per year. That's about 50 people per
day! The EPA, Surgeon General, American Lung Association, and American Medical Association, among others, recommends that
you test your home for radon gas. Furthermore, if you have radon levels that exceed 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) that
you take steps to reduce radon to lower levels.
Q: How do I test my house for radon gas? A: You
may call Advanced Radiation Monitoring Service, Inc. radon testing hot-line at 1.269.207.5943
to obtain a test kit or order one through our website to obtain a radon test kit.
Q: Once I find elevated
levels of radon gas, how do I get it fixed?
A: You may call A.R.M.S., Inc. or order a free quotation using our
website. We will need specific information about your radon test results, construction characteristics of your home and
your contact information.
Q: Is there Radon in our water supply?
A: The only way to tell is to test
for radon in water. Radon tests for water may be obtained by contacting ARMS, Inc. by calling us or ordering testing supplies
through this website. Radon typically has greater concentrations in private well water supplies, however, some municipal supplies
also contain elevated levels of radon in them.
Q: How is radon in water treated?
A: Radon in water may
be treated in two common methods. The first method is granular activated carbon filtration. This method is usually used in
lower concentrations of radon and water and has some issues in dealing with the deposition of radioactive material and accumulation
in the charcoal bed of these units. The second method of treatment is aeration of the water supply and venting of its radon
gas byproduct. The byproduct of radon gas is eliminated by discharging the gas in the same manner as active soil depressurization
of radon gas. Aeration may be used for either lower or elevated levels of radon in water. Both filtration and aeration is
done by our radon remediation staff at ARMS, Inc.
Q: How may I find out more about radon?
A: The EPA
and some local health agencies usually has free brochures about radon and you may reach some of these through the links we
have on our website. Why should someone have his or her house checked for radon? Radon
is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer only second to cigarette smoking. The Surgeon General C Everett Koop indicated
that every home should be tested for radon back around 1988. It is a simple, cheap and easy test to perform that each homeowner
can perform themselves. To get a radon test kit from the National Radon Hotline call 1.800.SOS.RADON How often
should you have it checked? Radon should be tested for with a minimum of two short-term tests either done simultaneously or
consecutively. Alternatively, a long term test may be conducted over 91 to 365 days long to determine the average radon levels.
After the testing is completed properly. Long term testing is suggested if there is not a hurry, like in a real estate transaction,
where testing is short-term and usually between 2 to 7 days. If any alterations are done to the home then the radon test should
be done again, i.e., additions to the foundations of the home, window replacements, installation of sewer and plumbing pipes
that disturb the original concrete slab in the basement are some of the reasons to re-test. How do you check
for radon? Radon may be tested for as described above. The types of radon detectors may include but are not limited to: gamma
spectroscopy charcoal canisters, continuous radon monitors, electret ion chambers, alpha track detectors, working level meters
, Lucas cells, liquid scintillation charcoal detectors and radon progeny testing devices. What happens if it
is found to be above acceptable levels? If radon is found above 4.0 picocuries per liter by a minimum of two short term tests-
averaged, a continuous radon monitor test over a minimum of 48 hours for both or a long term test as described above then
a radon remediation system quotation should be obtained from a certified radon contractor. A list of contractors is available
from NEHA.ORG or NRSB.ORG for which I am certified by both as well as being a Michigan Licensed Builder. How
long, typically, does it take to remediate? It usually takes about 2-3 hours to install a typical radon remediation system. What is the average cost of testing? The cost of testing is $10 to 125 depending on the type of test performed whether
the test is a self-test or done by a certified radon measurement specialist, like myself. Remediation? Range of remediation
costs from $10 to $1,000. Some jobs can be cheap and the homeowner can fix it themselves for the costs of some cement to having
a certified radon contractor come in and install a subslab depressurization system, drain tile depressurization system, crawl
space remediation or a combination of these techniques of radon remediation. Our systems are guaranteed to have the lowest
price at an average of around $500-$600 each. How long have you been in business? I have been in business since
1986 -24 years How did you get into radon testing/remediation? I started out developing a certified radon testing
laboratory a designed a diffusion barrier charcoal canister with Dr. Bernard Cohen from the University of Pittsburgh. Our
radon laboratory has been in operation since 1988 and was first certified in the State of Michigan by the Environmental Protection
Agency. I am a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, so the use of radioactive materials and the determination of the activity of
radioactive materials was inherent in my training. I used to inject radioactive materials into human patients and study the
flow of the radioactivity throughout the human body. I was interested in the measurement of radiation using charcoal canisters
and developed my laboratory in the basement of my home in the 80’s in Portage, MI. I then became a Certified Radon Diagnostician
to investigate radon in homes through using subslab pressure differentials and diagnostic testing methods for radon. This
eventually lead to me becoming a Certified Radon Contractor and Licensed Builder. I do all of these functions now and take
radioactive radon gas out of peoples homes instead of injecting it into their bodies. How large is your service
area? I cover the entire United States, however, most of my work is done in Michigan and Indiana. Is
it primarily residential? Yes primarily residential but I have also installed some systems in multi-unit apartment buildings,
commercial buildings. Are you still certified with the National Radon Safety Board? Yes. Any other radon certifications?National
Environmental Health Association. Do you believe it should be a state certification? Yes, I believe there should be a State
certification. Why or why not? Certification would help the general public know that there are certified individuals who meet
the requirements of the State Building Code and it would develop a money source for further educations of the general public
regarding radon. The State of Michigan now requires radon remediation systems to be installed in Appendix F of the Building
Code for counties in Zone I of the EPA’S Radon Map which includes most of the counties South and East of Cass County
and around I-94 over toward Southeast Michigan.
Advanced Radiation Monitoring Service, Inc. (A.R.M.S.,Inc.), Mattawan, Michigan* Call 1.269.207.5943 *Quality Service
Since 1986.
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