Radon Testing Services
Who needs Radon Testing?
Even in Florida’s sunny climate, every home, condo, townhouse, and apartment should be tested for radon because radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that can enter any structure from the soil beneath it or be released by building materials and natural stone such as granite, etc. Regardless of the dwelling’s age, location, construction type (including high-rise condo), or whether it has a slab, crawlspace or basement. Everyone, in every dwelling, deserves clean air! Florida has documented elevated radon levels throughout the state, and neighboring homes can test completely differently, meaning no property can be assumed “safe” without actual testing. Since people spend a large portion of their lives indoors, long-term exposure to elevated radon is a serious health concern and is recognized as the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. The only way to know a property’s radon level is to test it, and modern testing is simple, non-invasive, and affordable compared to the potential long-term health risks of prolonged exposure.
Higher Levels
- Recent testing data and growing awareness have shown that elevated radon levels are increasingly being identified throughout South Florida, including in St Lucie, Martin County, Palm Beach County, Broward County, and Miami-Dade County. While many people historically believed radon was only a concern in northern states, Florida Department of Health data now shows that elevated radon has been detected in homes, condos, schools, and commercial buildings across the state including coastal and high-rise properties in South Florida. Local geology, limestone formations, construction methods, and tightly sealed modern homes can all contribute to radon accumulation indoors, making testing increasingly important throughout these counties.
- The device shown is a Radalink AirCat, a professional continuous radon monitor used during real estate transactions and routine indoor air quality testing. The machine is placed in the lowest livable area of the property for a minimum of 48 hours under closed-building conditions to continuously sample and record radon levels in the air. During the test, the monitor takes hourly readings and also tracks environmental conditions and tampering attempts, helping ensure accurate and reliable results. Once the testing period is complete, the inspector retrieves the device and securely uploads the data from the monitor into specialized radon reporting software, where the readings are analyzed and compiled into an official report. In most cases, results are available within a few hours after the monitor is picked up allowing buyers, sellers, and homeowners to quickly understand whether elevated radon levels are present and whether mitigation is recommended.
- Radon levels are measured in pCi/L, or picocuries per liter of air. A result over 2.0 pCi/L is considered elevated enough that the EPA recommends considering correction, especially if occupants spend a lot of time in the home. A result at or over 4.0 pCi/L meets the EPA’s action level, meaning radon mitigation is recommended. Elevated radon levels mean the home has a higher concentration of radon gas than is ideal; because radon is invisible, odorless, and a known lung cancer risk, reducing the level is the safest long-term approach whenever readings are elevated.
- To read a laboratory radon test report, look for the final radon level reported in pCi/L and compare it to the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L. Results below that level are generally considered lower risk, while results at or above 4.0 pCi/L mean radon reduction should be considered. Also check the test dates, testing duration, property address, device location, and any notes about closed-house conditions or possible test interference.
