þÿ<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-Language" content="en-us"> <meta name="GENERATOR" content="Microsoft FrontPage 6.0"> <meta name="ProgId" content="FrontPage.Editor.Document"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=unicodeFFFE"> <title>NC Radon Program</title> <meta name="Microsoft Border" content="b, default"> </head> <body> <div align="center"> <center> <table border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" bordercolor="#111111" width="98%" height="1"> <tr> <td width="76%" height="7" colspan="9"><a name="topofpage"></a> <font face="Arial"><b> <a name="topofpage0" href="http://www.dhhs.gov" style="text-decoration: none; background-color: #000080"> <font color="#FFFF00">North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services</font></a></b></font></td> <td width="24%" height="7" colspan="2"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="69%" height="1" colspan="8" background="color84.gif"> <p align="center"><b><font size="5" color="#000080">NC Radon Program</font></b></td> <td width="34%" height="9" colspan="3" background="color84.gif" rowspan="2"> <p align="center"><a title="NC Radon Home Page" href="index.htm"> <img border="0" src="images/ncradonzonesv2.gif" width="218" height="77"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="16%" height="15" bgcolor="#000080" colspan="3"></td> <td width="33%" height="15" bgcolor="#000080" colspan="3"></td> <td width="20%" height="15" bgcolor="#000080" colspan="2"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="26%" height="6" bgcolor="#000080" colspan="4" nowrap> <p align="left"><b><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF"> <a target="_self" href="http://www.ncradiation.net/"> <font color="#FFFF00">Radiation&nbsp; Protection</font></a></font></b></td> <td width="19%" height="6" bgcolor="#000080" colspan="2"> <p align="center"><b><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF"> <a target="_self" href="list-mitigation.htm"><font color="#FFFF00">Mitigation</font></a></font></b></td> <td width="17%" height="6" bgcolor="#000080"> <p align="center"><b><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF"> <a target="_self" href="list-measurement.htm"><font color="#FFFF00">Measurement</font></a></font></b></td> <td width="18%" height="6" bgcolor="#000080" colspan="2"> <p align="center"><b><font size="2" color="#FFFFFF"> <a target="_self" href="contacts.htm"><font color="#FFFF00">Radon Contacts</font></a></font></b></td> <td width="19%" height="1" bgcolor="#000080" colspan="2"> <p align="center"><b><font color="#FFFFFF" size="2"><a target="_self" href="index.htm"> <font color="#FFFF00">NC Radon Home</font></a></font></b></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="16%" height="11" colspan="3"></td> <td width="15%" height="11" colspan="2"></td> <td width="18%" height="11"></td> <td width="20%" height="11" colspan="2"></td> <td width="15%" height="11"></td> <td width="19%" height="11" colspan="2"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="41" colspan="2"></td> <td width="86%" height="41" colspan="8"> <font color="#000080" size="4"><b>Do It Yourself</b></font></td> <td width="9%" height="36">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="34" align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</td> <td width="8%" height="34" align="center">&nbsp;</td> <td width="78%" height="34" colspan="7" align="center"> <span class="bodyhead"><u><b><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <a target="_self" href="#How To Use">How to test your home</a></font></b></u></span></td> <td width="9%" height="34" align="center">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="34" align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</td> <td width="8%" height="34" align="center">&nbsp;</td> <td width="78%" height="34" colspan="7" align="center"> <u><b><font size="2"><a target="_self" href="#Selling">Are you considering Selling your home?</a></font></b></u></td> <td width="9%" height="34" align="center">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="1" colspan="2"></td> <td width="8%" height="1"></td> <td width="78%" height="1" colspan="7"></td> <td width="9%" height="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="34" colspan="2">&nbsp;</td> <td width="8%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> <td width="78%" height="34" colspan="7"> <font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><span class="bodyhead"> <u><b>There are Two General Ways to Test for Radon</b></u></span></font></td> <td width="9%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="34" align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</td> <td width="8%" height="34" align="center">&nbsp;</td> <td width="78%" height="34" colspan="7" align="center"> <span class="bodyhead"><u><b><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <a target="_self" href="#SHORT-TERM">Short Term Testing</a></font></b></u></span></td> <td width="9%" height="34" align="center">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="34" align="center" colspan="2">&nbsp;</td> <td width="8%" height="34" align="center">&nbsp;</td> <td width="78%" height="34" colspan="7" align="center"> <span class="bodyhead"><u><b><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <a target="_self" href="#LONG-TERM">Long Term Testing</a></font></b></u></span></td> <td width="9%" height="34" align="center">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="34" colspan="2">&nbsp;</td> <td width="8%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> <td width="78%" height="34" colspan="7"> <p align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">You can&#39;t see radon, but it&#39;s not hard to find out if you have a radon problem in your home. Testing is easy to do yourself and does not take a lot of your time.</font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">There are many kinds of low-cost &quot;do-it-yourself&quot; radon test kits you can get at local hardware stores, home improvement stores and other retail outlets. The cost is from $15 to $25 dollars. This cost includes lab and mailing fees. A discounted test kit can also be ordered from the <a target="_self" href="http://www.nsc.org/ehc/radon/coupon.htm">National Safety Council.</a> The National Safety Council Radon Helpline is 1-800-557-2366. </font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">Hiring a <a target="_self" href="Certified.htm">trained and certified radon service professional</a> to do the testing for you is another option. <a target="_self" href="list-Measurement.htm">List of certified radon testing and measurement service providers in North Carolina.</a></font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">The amount of radon in the air is measured in &quot;picoCuries per liter of air,&quot; or &quot;pCi/L.&quot; Sometimes test results are expressed in Working Levels (WL) rather than picoCuries per liter (pCi/L). </font></p> </td> <td width="9%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="1" colspan="2"></td> <td width="86%" height="1" colspan="8"> <img border="0" src="images/bluebar2.jpg" width="653" height="17"></td> <td width="9%" height="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> <td width="12%" height="34" colspan="2" valign="top"> <font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <b><a name="SHORT-TERM">SHORT-TERM</a> TESTING</b></font><p><i> <font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <a title="Top of Page" href="#topofpage">Top of Page</a></font></i></td> <td width="78%" height="34" colspan="7"> <font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your home between two and 90 days, depending on the device. &quot;Charcoal canisters,&quot; &quot;alpha track,&quot; &quot;electret ion chamber,&quot; &quot;continuous monitors,&quot; and &quot;charcoal liquid scintillation&quot; detectors are the most commonly used types of testing kits for short-term testing. Because radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. If you need results quickly, however, a short-term test followed by a second short-term test may be used to determine the Radon levels in your home.</font></td> <td width="9%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="1" colspan="2"></td> <td width="86%" height="1" colspan="8"> <img border="0" src="images/bluebar2.jpg" width="653" height="17"></td> <td width="9%" height="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> <td width="12%" height="34" colspan="2"> <font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <b><a name="LONG-TERM">LONG-TERM</a> TESTING</b></font></td> <td width="78%" height="34" colspan="7"> <font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> Long-term tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. &quot;Alpha track&quot; and &quot;electret&quot; detectors are commonly used for this type of testing. A long-term test will give you a reading that is a more accurate representation of your home&#39;s year-round average radon level.</font></td> <td width="9%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="1" colspan="2"></td> <td width="86%" height="1" colspan="8"> <img border="0" src="images/bluebar2.jpg" width="653" height="17"></td> <td width="9%" height="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> <td width="12%" height="34" colspan="2" valign="top"> <font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><span class="bodyhead"><b> <a name="How To Use">How To Use</a> a Test Kit</b></span></font><p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><i><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <a title="Top of Page" href="#topofpage">Top of Page</a></font></i></td> <td width="78%" height="34" colspan="7"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <u>Follow the instructions that come with your test kit. </u> </font> <p align="justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">If you are doing a short-term test, close your windows and outside doors and keep them closed as much as possible during the test. If you are doing a short-term test lasting just 2 or 3 days, be sure to close your windows and outside doors at least 12 hours before beginning the test. You should not conduct short-term tests lasting just 2 or 3 days during unusually severe storms or periods of unusually high winds.</font></p> <p align="justify"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">The test kit should be placed in the lowest lived-in level of the home (for example, the basement if it is frequently used, otherwise the first floor). It should be put in a room that is used regularly (like a living room, playroom, den or bedroom) but not your kitchen or bathroom because moisture can affect the accuracy of tests. Place the kit at least 20 inches above the floor in a location where it won&#39;t be disturbed - away from drafts, high heat, high humidity, and exterior walls. Leave the kit in place for as long as the package says. Once you&#39;ve finished the test, reseal the package and send it to the lab specified on the package right away for study. You should receive your test results within a few weeks.</font></p> </td> <td width="9%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="1" colspan="2"></td> <td width="86%" height="1" colspan="8"> <img border="0" src="images/bluebar2.jpg" width="653" height="17"></td> <td width="9%" height="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="4%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> <td width="12%" height="34" colspan="2" valign="top"> <b><font size="2">...<a name="Selling">Selling</a> your Home?</font></b><p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><i><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <a title="Top of Page" href="#topofpage">Top of Page</a></font></i></td> <td width="78%" height="34" colspan="7"> <p class="body" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">If you are considering selling your home, test for radon as soon as possible to avoid the time constraints of the real estate transaction process.&nbsp; </font> <p class="body" align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><b>Step 1.</b> Take a short-term test (2 to 90 days long). </font> <p align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><b>Step 2. </b>If after a short-term test your result is between 4 pCi/l and 10 pCi/l, take a follow-up long-term test (91 days to one year). If your result is above 10 pCi/l, fix your home.</font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><b>Step 3</b>. If you conducted a long-term test and your result is above 4 pCi/l, fix your home.</font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <a target="_self" href="docs/checklistnew.pdf">Checklist on how to test your home for radon</a></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2">More information about testing your home for Radon is available in the EPA Publication: <a target="_self" href="http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs/citguide.html">A Citizen&#39;s Guide to Radon&quot;</a></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <a target="_self" href="test-RealEst.htm">Testing for Radon during a Real Estate Transaction</a></font></p> <p align="left"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"> <a target="_self" href="MitigationNEW.htm">What to do if your test results indicate that you need to &quot;fix your home&quot;</a></font></p> </td> <td width="9%" height="34">&nbsp;</td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="1" colspan="2"></td> <td width="86%" height="1" colspan="8"> <img border="0" src="images/bluebar2.jpg" width="653" height="17"></td> <td width="9%" height="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="8%" height="1" colspan="2"></td> <td width="8%" height="1"></td> <td width="15%" height="1" colspan="2"></td> <td width="18%" height="1"></td> <td width="20%" height="1" colspan="2"></td> <td width="15%" height="1"></td> <td width="10%" height="1"></td> <td width="9%" height="1"></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="16%" height="33" colspan="3"> <img border="0" src="images/rps-logosmall.gif" width="84" height="49"></td> <td width="68%" height="33" colspan="6" align="center"> <font size="1" face="Times New Roman"> <a target="_self" href="http://www.dhhs.gov">NC DHHS&nbsp; </a> <a target="_self" href="http://www.enr.state.nc.us">&nbsp; </a> <a target="_self" href="http://www.ncradiation.net">&nbsp;Radiation Protection Section</a> <font color="#1F3D3D"><br> 1645 Mail Service Center</font><b>.</b><font color="#1F3D3D"> Raleigh, NC 27699-1645</font><b><br> </b><font color="#1F3D3D">Office (919)571-4141</font> <font color="#1F3D3D">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Fax (919)571-4148</font></font></td> <td width="19%" height="28" colspan="2"> <img border="0" src="images/dhhs_logo.JPG" width="103" height="73"></td> </tr> </table> </center> </div> <p></p> </body> </html>