Frequently Asked Questions

Air Sense Environmental, a certified radon testing and mitigation contractor accredited by IEMA, proudly caters to Southern Illinois and the St. Louis, MO area. Our seasoned team brings diverse expertise in real estate, air quality, construction, and customer service, ensuring your peace of mind.

Safeguard your home and family with our comprehensive approach and extensive industry knowledge. From the initial test to installing the mitigation system and conducting post-test assessments, we stand by your side through every phase.

Your family’s well-being is our priority. Rely on us to guide you through the process, offering expert solutions tailored to your needs. At Air Sense Environmental, we are dedicated to protecting your home, making it a safer and healthier place for your loved ones.

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the environment. It is formed by the breakdown of uranium, thorium, and radium in soil, rocks, and water. Radon is a part of the decay chain of these radioactive elements and is released into the air as a gas.

Testing for radon is important for several reasons:

1. Health Risks: Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rock and can seep into buildings through cracks or gaps in the foundation. Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer, especially for those who smoke or have a history of smoking. Testing helps identify if radon levels in your home or workplace are within safe limits.
2. Invisible Threat: Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it impossible to detect without specialized testing equipment. Without testing, you cannot determine if radon levels in your indoor environment pose a health risk.
3. Preventive Measures: Testing allows you to identify and address elevated radon levels early. If high radon levels are detected, mitigation measures can be implemented to reduce radon concentrations and minimize health risks.
4. Peace of Mind: Testing for radon provides peace of mind, ensuring that you and your family or occupants are living or working in a healthy environment free from the dangers associated with high radon exposure.
5. Real Estate Transactions: Radon testing is often recommended during real estate transactions. It helps buyers and sellers understand if radon levels in a property are within safe limits and allows for mitigation measures to be taken if needed.

Our radon monitors will operate in your home for a 48-hour period to gather an average concentration level of radon. Once the data is collected, we generate detailed reports on the same day. Our technicians are on hand to review all findings with you and discuss any necessary next steps.

1. Assessment and Testing: The first step is to determine the radon levels through testing. If radon levels are found to be high (above 4 pCi/L, according to EPA guidelines), a radon mitigation system will be recommended.

2. System Design: Depending on the structure of your building and the radon levels, a suitable mitigation system will be designed. The most common method involves a sub-slab depressurization system, which uses pipes and a fan to pull radon from beneath the foundation and vent it safely outside the building.

3. Installation: A certified radon mitigation technician will install the system. Installation typically involves drilling a hole in the foundation to insert a PVC pipe. The pipe is connected to a fan system that sucks the radon from underneath the house and expels it above the roofline, preventing it from entering the home.

4. Sealing Cracks: To enhance the effectiveness of the system, cracks and other openings in the foundation and walls will be sealed. This helps reduce the flow of radon into the home and increases the efficiency of the mitigation system.

5. Post-Mitigation Testing: After the system is installed, another radon test is conducted to ensure the system is effectively reducing the radon levels. Continuous monitoring may also be recommended to ensure that radon levels remain safe over time.

6. Maintenance and Monitoring: Radon mitigation systems require minimal maintenance, usually involving checking the fan operation and occasionally clearing the vent of obstructions. It’s important to monitor the system regularly to ensure it continues to operate effectively.

This process not only helps to reduce radon levels but also significantly improves the indoor air quality of your home or building, making it a safer environment.

 Illinois

Alton, Belleville, Bethalto, Collinsville, Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Godfrey, Granite City, Highland, Maryville, Troy, Fairview Heights, O’Fallon, Swansea, Brighton, Elsah, Jerseyville, Moro, Gillespie, and Staunton— Air Sense Environmental services are instrumental in ensuring proper testing and effective mitigation within these communities. 

Missouri

 St. Louis County and St. Charles County, Missouri, cities such as Chesterfield, Florissant, Kirkwood, Maryland Heights, St. Peters, O’Fallon, St. Charles, Wentzville and surrounding area. Air Sense Environmental plays a vital role in ensuring these communities undergo proper testing and effective radon mitigation.