Radon Testing
US EPA Map of Radon Zones in Georgia by County
Most of Atlanta is in the area predicted by the US EPA to have high levels of cancer causing radon gas.
How Does Radon Induce Lung Cancer?
If inhaled, airborne radon decay products become deeply lodged or trapped in the lungs, where the alphas radiate and penetrate the cells of the mucous membranes, bronchi, and other pulmonary tissues.
The ionizing radiation energy affecting the bronchial epithelial cells is believed to initiate the process of the carcinogenesis. Although, radon-related lung cancers are mainly seen in the upper airways, radon increases the incidence of all histological types of lung cancer, including small cell carcinoma, adenocarcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma.
You Can Test For Radon Yourself, Or We Can Do It For You.
If you 10 days or so, you can buy a test kit, place the container for at least 48 hours, mail it to the lab, wait for it to arrive, wait more time for the testing, then get the results.after they've done the lab work - a total of about 7 to 10 days.
If you have 4 to 6 weeks, you can get a test kit from the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service for $6.50, lab fees included. Click here, fill out the form, and when you complete the county selection it will show you where to send your check. Overall they take about 3 to 4 weeks to get you the kit, another 2 days to sample the air in your house, then another week to 10 days to mail the test kit to the lab and get your results. If you have the time, its a great option.
If you have less time, use Medallion. We place our machine for a minimum 48 hours, and as soon as we retrieve the machine, we hook it up to our computer and deliver the results to you. Not in 10 days. Now. When you need the information. Right away. Our machine is a state of the technology electronic continuous radon monitor.
The difference is time. You choose. what works best for you. If you have 7 to 10 days, you can do it yourself for less. If you need right away - or at the inspection, we can do it for you. But please, make sure test for radon gas.
To schedule Medallion to perform a
a radon test with your inspection
please call 678-369-6830
Where Does Radon Come From?
Radon is a naturally occurring odorless, tasteless, colorless radioactive gas. It is produced by the natural breakdown of radium in soil, rock and water. Many homes and other buildings, such as schools and offices have high levels of radon. Because it's odorless and invisible and the lung cancer usually shows up over a long period of exposure, the danger of radon is often underestimated.
Because of the stack effect, radon can be drawn into the home from the soil below. Common entry points are cracks in concrete floors, utility access points, spaces around floor drains, sump pits, construction joints and tiny cracks in basement walls. The concentration will depend on the source strength and the rate of pressure driven entry.
Be Sure To Check Your New Home for Radon
- Radon gas causes lung cancer.
- Lung cancer is the most common form of cancer in America. It kills more people than colon, prostate and breast cancer combined
- Approximately 50% of people diagnosed with lung cancer have never smoked or are former smokers
- A simple test can detect the presence of radon gas
- If radon gas is present in a house, it can easily be removed and the house made safe.
Major Radon Gas Entry Routes Into Homes
A. Cracks in concrete slabs.
B. Spaces behind brick veneer walls that rest on uncapped hollow-block foundations.
C. Pores and cracks in concrete blocks.
D. Floor-wall joints.
E. Exposed soil, as in a sump or crawl space.
F. Weeping (drain) tile, if drained to an open sump.
G. Mortar joints.
H. Loose fitting pipe penetrations.
I. Open tops of block walls.
J. Building materials, such as brick, concrete, rock.
K. Deep Well water (not commonly a major source in Georgia homes).
