Radon is a radioactive Group 1 carcinogen that is responsible for approximately 21,000 lung-cancer deaths annually in the US.  The EPA estimates 1 in every 15 homes have elevated Radon levels.  You cannot see, smell or taste radon.  Radon comes from the natural radioactive decay of uranium and thorium which is present in nearly all soils, rock, and water.  Radon gas decays into solid radioactive particles that can enter homes and other buildings through the cracks in foundation, walls, floors, and through gaps around plumbing lines in your home.  These solid radioactive decay particles, when inhaled, may get trapped in your lungs, and as they continue to further break down in your lungs, small bursts of energy can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over time.  Testing for Radon levels in indoor spaces is crucial, as elevated concentrations can be mitigated through ventilation and sealing measures.  Radon is a unique environmental hazard due to its elusive nature, making awareness and preventive measures essential for ensuring the safety of indoor environments.

Radon comes from the rocks, and soils beneath the surface of your home and higher levels of Radon can depend on the geographical location of your home.  Although Radon is present in the air outside, your home acts as a vacuum sucking Radon gas inside through the cracks and crevices in your foundation due to air pressure differentials.  In places like Iowa, Pennsylvania, and Colorado, there’s often higher levels of Radon because of the kind of rocks and soils present in the bedrock.  Even though Radon levels can vary from region to region, it is important to test for Radon levels in homes everywhere. 

Second to calling the Radon Boss for a customized plan of action for your specific Radon testing needs, you can reference the following for additional information:

1. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website:  HUD provides guidance and regulations related to housing, including information on Radon testing requirements for multifamily properties.  The HUD website (hud.gov) is a valuable resource for accessing official documents, policy updates, and program-specific guidelines. 

2.  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website:  The EPA offers extensive information on Radon, including guidelines for testing and mitigating Radon in various settings, including multifamily housing.  Their website (epa.gov) provides resources, publications, and links to relevant regulations and standards. 

3.  State and local health departments:  State and local health departments often provide guidance on Radon testing and Radon mitigation best practices specific to their jurisdictions.  They may have additional requirements or recommendations beyond federal guidelines, so it’s essential to check with your local authorities for relevant information. 

4.  Professional Radon organizations:  Organizations such as the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) and the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) may offer guidance and resources on Radon testing and mitigation best practices, including recommendations for multifamily housing. 

By consulting these authoritative sources, you can access up-to-date guidelines and ensure compliance with regulations regarding Radon testing in multifamily housing.

Below are references for various measurement standards.

• NRPP – The National Radon Proficieny Program
• AARST Consortium on National Radon Standards
• MAH – Measurement of Air in Homes
• ANSI/AARST MAMF-2017 (rev. 1/21) – Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon and Radon Decay Products in Multifamily Buildings with 1/21 Revisions
• ANSI/AARST MALB-2014 (rev. 1/21) – Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon and Radon Decay Products in Schools and Large Buildings
  NOTE: MA MFLB 2023 consolidates ANSI/AARST MAMF-2017 (rev. 1/21) and ANSI/AARST MALB-2014 (rev. 1/21) into a single publication known as ANSI/AARST MA-MFLB 2023.
• ANSI/AARST MA-MFLB – Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon and Radon Decay Products in Multifamily, School, Commercial and Mixed-Use Buildings
• ANSI – American National Standards Institute
• AARST – American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologies
• MAMF – Measurrement of Air in Multifamily Buildings
• MALB – Measurement of Air in Schools and Large Buildings
• MS-PC – Performance Specifications for Instrumentation Systems Designed to Measure Radon Gas in Air
• MS-QA Radon Measurement Systems Quality Assurance
• MW-RN – Protocol for the Collection, Transfer and Measurement of Radon in Water
• ANSI/AARST RRNC – Rough-in of Radon Control Components in New Construction of 1 & 2 Family Dwellings and Townhomes
• ANSI/AARST CC-1000 – Soil Gas Control Systems in New Construction of Multifamily, School, Commercial and Mixed-Use Buildings
• ANSI/AARST CCAH – Reducing Radon in New Construction of One & Two Family Dwellings and Townhouses
• ANSI/AARST SGM-MFLB – Soil Gas Mitigation in Existing Multifamily, School, Commercial, and Mixed-Use Buildings
• ANSI/AARST SGM-SF – Soil Gas Mitigation in Existing Homes
• ANSI/AARST MW-RN – Protocol for the Collection, Transfer and Measurement of Radon in Water.
• ANSI/AARST MS-PC – Performance Specifications for Instrumentation Systems Designed to Measure Radon Gas in Air
• ANSI/AARST MAH – Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon and Radon Decay Products in Homes

The single most important aspect of testing your occupied building is not to alarm your residents. Our process is highly sensitive to your tenants’ sense of safety, so our protocol is not an alarmist approach. We connect with onsite management to facilitate subtle notification. We offer education on the testing processes while requesting the compliance of closed-house conditions for occupied properties. We have streamlined our testing process from start to finish, and our goal is to make this process easy, quick, and efficient for all parties involved regardless of your occupancy status.

Radon is measured in picoccuries per liter of air, or (pCi/L). The current action level for Radon in the USA is 4 pCi/L.

The variables that can affect Radon levels in multi-family structures are:
– The strength of the breakdown of radioactive decay particles in the soils under the building slab
– Thermal bypasses which allow circulation/entry into units
– Negative pressure differentials that can act as a vacuum to draw Radon gas into units
– Rate of fresh air intake/exchange