Radon testing is performed to determine the levels (concentration) of radon gas. When the radon levels are below 4.0 pCi/L no further action is required. If the radon levels are above 4.0 pCi/L, it is recommended that a radon mitigation system be installed to reduce the contraction of radon below 4.0 pCi/L. The State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the United States Environmental Protection Agency recommends have set forth the rules regarding radon levels and testing methods.  We have a licensed radon measurement technician and a specialist

What is Radon and how does it come in my house?

Radon is a gas that is:

• odorless,
• colorless, and
• is undetected without a test.

Radon is a by-product of uranium, which is found in the soil.  Radon testing is performed in the lowest livable level of a property. Radon can penetrate the cracks in a concrete floor, foundation walls, or through gaps around water and sewage pipes. Health risks associated with high levels of radon include lung cancer.

High levels of radon can occur in any city and on any street. Homes with a basement, homes built above a crawl space, and homes on a concrete slab can have high levels of radon. There are several communities in New Jersey that are classified as high radon areas. However, even if your community is not considered a high radon area, many homes within the township may have high levels of radon. The only way to know the radon levels of a property is to perform testing.

Why is a radon test conducted?

A real estate transaction—the buyer is given the opportunely to perform a radon test to determine the levels of radon in the home they are purchasing.

If you have recently completed work to your home--replaced any windows, doors, installed a high efficiency furnace, or if you installed a French drain, a radon test should be performed. These changes can change the pressurization which in turn can effect the rate at which radon is entering you home.

The types of testing devices we use

A&M Engineering Services, Inc. is licensed to use the Electret Ion Chamber (E-Perm), charcoals canisters, and alpha track canisters.

Short Term Devices

Electret Ion Chamber

 We use these canisters for real estate transaction and childcare facilities.  The test period is 48 hours and the property must be under closed house conditions. All that means is that windows and doors must remain closed other than exit and entry. Heat and air condition can be used. The reason for closed house conditions is when windows and doors are propped open it changes the pressurization in the house and can affect the flow of radon. There by affecting the results of the radon test.  Once the testing period is complete, the devices are brought back to our laboratory for analysis. The results are generally available within 3 hours after returning to the lab.

Charcoal Canister

We use charcoal canisters for very large building such as schools and commercial properties. The test period is 48 hours. Charcoal canisters are sent to an off-site laboratory. Results are available within 7 business days.          

Charcoal canisters are not as accurate as electret canisters. The retention time that radon adheres to charcoal is approximately 18 hours. Therefore the test is inaccurately biased to the last 18 hours of the testing period. In addition, temperature, moisture, and household chemicals and odors can absorb on charcoal in preference to the radon. 

Long term Device

Alpha Track

The devices are used for long term testing, which is a minimum of 6 months. For that reason, these devices are not recommended for real estate transactions. These devices are sent to an off-site laboratory and the results are available in three weeks.

For further information, please visit:

US EPA:   www.epa.gov

State of NJ:  www.nj.gov/dep/rpp/radon.index.htm