Radon Testing Information protocol & guidelines

What to do? 

Recommended Action Levels vary by country and typically range from 3 to 8 pCi/l The following recommendations are based on test results by a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) test of at least a 48-hour duration and are based on the requirements & recommendations of the EPA & MDH.


  • EPA average at or above 4 pCi/l = FAIL Mitigation Recommended to Fix the Building In the state of Minnesota, all test results must be disclosed when selling the property. A post-mitigation test should be conducted no sooner than 24 hours after a mitigation system is operational and within 30 days after installation of the system(s) to provide an initiation measure of radon-reduction system effectiveness.


  • EPA average between 2-3.9 pCi/l = PASS, Consider Mitigation or retest every 2 years if you have a mitigation system, every 5 without a system as indoor Radon levels can change over time and vary by season and weather conditions. Consider performing a long-term radon test, this is a test that takes place over 3-12 months to help determine whether mitigation should be performed.

 

  • EPA average below 2 pCi/l = PASS, Mitigation is not needed. It is recommended to retest every 2 years if you have a mitigation system, every 5 without a system as indoor Radon levels can change over time and vary by season and weather conditions. Retest whenever significant changes to the home structure or mechanical systems occurred.


  • Your Radon Report can be found under the Main Inspection report in the Details link below.
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Reasons to Retest

The property tested should be retested in the following cases: If the home was unoccupied and tested below 4.0, then retest once occupied; If the home is located in an area of karst or glacial moraine geology, retested over a 12-month period; If occupied by a new owner; a new addition is added or alteration is made that could change the home’s ventilation patterns; a major cracks or penetrations occur in the home’s foundation walls or slab; a significant nearby construction blasting or earthquakes occur; if changes are made to a mitigation system; or If a ground-contacted area is occupied that was not previously tested. If the voluntary compliance form was not signed by the occupant, seller or seller’s representative. If not obtained this will be documented under comments at the bottom of the first page of the report. Consider asking for this signed document prior to closing. It was left on the counter when placing the monitor.

Radon Risk Information

Radon causes lung cancer by means of the decay of its daughter products after breathing in air contaminated with higher levels of Radon. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 15% of lung cancers worldwide are caused by exposure to elevated indoor levels of Radon. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year in the US alone. Radon gas is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Surgeon General, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommend that ALL homebuyers have an indoor radon test performed prior to purchase or taking occupancy and recommend having the radon levels professionally mitigated if elevated radon concentrations are found

Additional Resources

Contact info for state radon office at the Minnesota Department of Health: 651-201-4601, health.indoorair@state.mn.us, or www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/index.html 


Missing a Report?  We upload reports for every service as they have been completed. Please note the longest delay is typically for the Radon Test is performed. Radon testing takes 48 hours we do not pick up radon test over weekends or holidays unless confirmed art the time of scheduling.  Radon test results are emailed immediately upon their retrieval. If you are missing a report for a service ordered please contact the office. 952-201-2181 or info@mninspector.com


Got Questions? Please don't hesitate calling our office if you have any questions regarding your inspections.