
November,
2005
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Radon Testing
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Issue
#43
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This
month Mike Casey asked me to talk with you about Radon Testing.
I guess having performed radon air & water testing for
the past twenty years gives me a little insight into the business
end of this, but Mike knows I am very involved with the American
Association of Radon Scientists & Technologists (AARST)
and I have been actively putting together the new Radon Course
for Kaplan as well.
Radon
testing is a critical piece of the Home buying process in
many areas of the country. The fact that 17-22,000 people
die annually from radon induced lung cancer helps to get our
immediate attention. For someone buying a home, simply having
the home tested can let them know if the home has a problem.
Radioactive gases coming into the lower levels of the home
from soil gases, can be inhaled and cause health concerns.
Proper
testing requires that the tester follow the EPA & AARST
protocols. And when a test is performed properly, consumers
can expect a reasonable assurance that the house is safe to
live in. Houses with elevated air levels (above 4.0 pico curies
per liter of air or pCi/L) should be fixed by a radon mitigation
expert. This is usually a fairly simple job, and in the Northeast
generally costs about $1,000 when the air level is too high.
Testing
well water for radon is also important as the water may be
exposed to higher levels of radiation deep in the ground and
only find its way out of the water when it hits the faucet
aerator or the shower head. Levels of over 5,000 pCi/l in
water are considered a concern that should be repaired. Filtration
units costing $1000 and above, or aeration systems between
$3000 to $5000 will typically fix the well water. It is rare
to see problems with radon in municipal water as most municipalities
aerate their water before sending it to the home.
For
home inspectors looking for an add-on business, radon testing
is a sure way to increase your business activities and bottom
line if there is radon gas in your area. Most inspectors in
my area (New England) market that they perform water testing,
radon testing, and pest inspections. This gives them a marketing
advantage by being a one-stop convenience for their clients.
Realtors seem to like that the inspector takes care of this
as well.
Radon
testing protects the consumer and reduces the worry. It makes
the client feel safer and allows the inspector the opportunity
to determine and explain if there is an important health issue.
From a business point of view with a typical test being billed
out between 75 to 150 dollars per air test; if an inspector
performed 300 tests a year it would increase his or her gross
between $22,000 to $45,000. Don't forget you will need to
rent or purchase radon monitors and get some additional training.
If
you are interested in learning more about radon, Kaplan has introduced
our new Residential
Radon Measurement Course. This course will offer the
student the information they need to add testing to your toolbox
as well as receive certification that meets the minimal requirements
to test in many states. This
course is coming soon to other facilities.
More
on this soon,
Steve
Gladstone
Kaplan Professional Schools
Now You're Ready For Business!

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