UGA Cooperative Extension

Walton County Extension Office:
Family & Consumer Sciences

Radon Testing

• 12 hours prior to testing, all exterior doors and windows must be closed except for normal entry and exit. Closed house conditions are to continue until testing is complete.
• Operate heating and cooling systems normally. Do not operate ceiling fan in the same room with test kit.
• Insert black sponge into open end of test kit. The sponge acts as an air filter and holds the bag open.
• Hang Radon test kit from ceiling 2ft – 6ft above the floor in lowest livable level of your home in a room regularly used (living room, bedroom, playroom.) Do not place in kitchen, laundry room, garage, closet or bathroom
• Test for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 7 days. After testing, discard the black sponge. Peel off the white strip from the inner edge and carefully seal the return envelope. Print name, address and circle starting and ending day of month and hour. Mail kit right away for analysis. Results should be received within 10 days.

Note: Laboratory must have these 4 numbers in order to analyze kit contents:

• Starting day of month
• Starting hour
• Ending day of month
• Ending hour
  

About the Walton County Radon Education Program

The Walton County Radon Education Program began in 2003 as one of four targeted radon areas in the state. Education programs are presented to: schools, civic groups, churches, health fairs, realtors, builders, building inspectors, senior groups, educators and medical professionals.

Walton County residents are encouraged to test for radon and to reduce high levels to acceptable levels. Radon test kits are available at the Walton County Cooperative Extension Office in Monroe for $5.00.  Or order a radon test kit through the mail for $6.50 at www.UGAradon.com.  Walton County radon test results tend to run 2 to 3 times the national average. Testing is the only way to know if you have a radon problem.

National Radon Poster Contest

The National Radon Poster Contest promotion results  in an increased awareness of radon and the need to test. Walton County students won the State of Georgia and National Radon Poster Contest  3  years. The contest is open to all school children ages 9-14. The National Radon Poster Contest is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Radon Poster Contest    www.SOSradon.org

Contact your Radon Educator

Retesting

If after completing your test, your Radon level is at or above 4 pCi/L, then we recommend you retest your home again (ask the UGA Radon Educator how to do this) to verify the Radon risk level. You can purchase a second test.

Air Check
Phone: (828) 684-0893
Test kits may be purchased over the phone or on the web at http://www.radon.com.

Radon Publications

• A Citizen’s Guide To Radon: The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family
• Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon
• Radon: the health threat with a simple solution, a physician’s guide
• Georgia Map of Radon Zones
• A Radon Guide for Tenants
• Lung Cancer: It's Not Just From Smoking!

Radon Resistant New Construction Program

The mission of this program is to create awareness of radon and  to reduce concentrations or prevent buildup in the home. Typical radon resistant features are:

• Passive Stack Sub-Slab/Sub-Membrane Depressurization
• Active Sub-Slab/Sub-Membrane Depressurization
• Rough-in for Sub-Slab Depressurization

Training for builders is available from Southface Energy Institute.

When Building a New Home

Model Standards and Techniques for Control of Radon in New Residential Buildings

Housing and Radon Mitigators

If your radon tests are higher than 4pCi/L you should consider taking action immediately and reducing the dangerous Radon level in your home.
For a list of Certified Radon Mitigators go to: http://radongas.org.
For Measurement and Mitigation Training, contact the Southern Regional Radon Training Center: 1-800-626-2703.

Contact Us

Walton County Extension
100 North Broad St.
Monroe, GA 30655
(770)267-1324
(770)267-1428 - fax

Last update 8-19-2010