Radon Testing Process

Almost 8 Million Homes Have Radon. Is One Of Them Yours?

Testing Is The Only Way To Know & be safe

Northwest Radon Testing commits to providing quality radon testing services to our clients in Illinois/Chicagoland area. We ensure the most accurate, reproducible measurements of radon levels possible for the client as to determine their potential health risk and provide guidance actions as established by the EPA; and to be working in accordance with the requirements of the Radon Industry Licensing Act, 32 Illinois Administrative Code 422, Licensing of Radon Measurement and Mitigation Services, NRPP Radon Measuring Standards and Quality Assurance Program.

We use the top of the line continuous monitors from Corentium Pro, which are fully AARST-NRPP and NRSB certified for the North American market. The monitors are ideal for real estate transactions to conduct a quick and accurate short-term 48 hour test, or for a concerned homeowner in search of their true radon levels and their family’s health risk.

How do Corentium Pro radon monitors work?
Continuous Radon Monitor records real-time hourly continuous measurements of radon gas and provides an average radon level at the end of the test. Corentium Pro monitor samples indoor air through a passive diffusion chamber, utilizing alpha spectrometry to calculate the radon level. Radon is detected using silicon photodiodes to measure the alpha particles energy resulting from the decay chain of radon gas. The instrument is calibrated in accredited laboratories yearly and cross-checked with another calibrated device for precision at least every six months. Corentium Pro monitors have an extra ability to measure and track additional environmental parameters such as temperature, barometric pressure, wind speed, relative humidity, and onboard motion sensors as tampering controls. The use of this monitor for radon testing provides you with the most accurate result possible. For the most accurate radon level result, it is very important to maintain closed building conditions for a period of twelve (12) hours PRIOR and DURING the whole test.
The following requirements are considered Closed Building Conditions:
  • 1. All exterior windows on all levels of the building must be kept closed. All exterior doors must be kept closed except for momentary entry and exit.
  • 2. The thermostat must be set to normal occupied operating conditions with the temperature set between 67° and 77° F.
  • 3. The radon test device must not be moved, covered, or tampered with.
  • 4. High volume, whole-house, and window fans must not be operated. Fireplaces or wood stoves shall not be operated unless they are the primary heat source, and the chimney damper should be closed.
  • 5. Excessive use of clothes dryers, range hoods and bath fans should be avoided.
  • 6. Portable humidifiers and dehumidifiers should not be operated during the testing.
  • 7. For new construction homes, “ready to move in” condition must be met when the test is performed.
Failure to adhere to the listed conditions can lower or raise the result, providing the seller, buyer, or concerned homeowner with inaccurate results that may lead to health and financial problems.
If Radon exists nearly everywhere

Why Get Tested?

Reason #1: HEALTH
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 1 in 15 homes has elevated radon levels and results in 21,000 radon related lung cancer deaths. Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind smoking. Although lung cancer can be treated, the survival rate is one of the lowest for those with cancer. From the time of diagnosis, only 11-15 % of those afflicted will live beyond five years, depending upon demographic factors. This can be prevented by knowing your home’s radon levels and mitigating the home if levels are above 4.0 pCi/L.

Reason #2: MONEY
Real Estate Transactions: if you are in the process of buying a home, get the radon levels tested to see if mitigation is needed. If the Radon levels are elevated above 4.0 pCi/L, you can ask the seller to install a radon mitigation system or reimburse you the cost for future mitigation work. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs, averaging $1500-$1800. The most commonly used and most effective radon mitigation systems use a fan to pull in radon from beneath the house, and vent it outdoors where it is quickly diluted to safe levels. Save yourself money and have peace of mind by getting a professional radon test.

Why Choose Us?

  • We provide radon tests utilizing specialized, high-end, NRPP approved equipment known as Continuous Radon Monitors (CRMs) to give you the most accurate hourly measurement of radon concentration levels.
  • Perfect for Real Estate Transactions - Time sensitive test only takes 48 hours and your results are reported the same day.
  • Our company professionals are NRPP certified - adding another level of assurance you are getting the highest quality radon testing in Illinois. Recognized and demanded by both federal agencies and state radon programs, NRPP credentials indicate to building owners and service providers the mastery of the specific skills required to successfully complete radon testing and remedial projects. Achieving and maintaining NRPP certification requires biennial documentation of competence, expertise and performance to demonstrate skill, knowledge and quality control.