Radon Testing in New Jersey (Single Family Homes, Large Buildings and Schools)
The Regal Home Inspections, LLC inspectors have years of experience testing for radon. We often perform radon inspections and testing in Brick, Ocean County, NJ and the surrounding areas of NJ on its own or as a part of the home or property inspection process. We certainly offer Radon Only Tests. The rules and certifications for radon testing are changing and every Radon Measurement Technician must be certified under the NEW, NJ DEP rules effective December 3, 2022. Regal Home Inspections, LLC is Certified under the NEW guidelines for radon testing in single family homes, large buildings and schools.
What is Radon? | Radon Testing Radon Inspections NJ
Radon is an odorless, colorless gas with origins in the uranium of bedrock in the soil. If you recall the Periodic Table of the Elements from high school chemistry, radon is one of the many elements shown there. The issue with radon is that it is a radioactive element. Consequently, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, only behind cigarette smoking, and there are tens of thousands directly related deaths.
Living in New Jersey, Should I be concerned about Radon?
Yes, you should be concerned about Radon in NJ! The NJ DEP classifies every part of the state, each being a “High radon potential” area, a “Moderate radon potential” area or a “Low radon potential” area. We live in Monmouth County and conduct the majority of my inspections in and around Monmouth, Ocean, and Middlesex Counties. Radon is measured in pico Curries per liter of air, represented as “pCi/L.” A pico Currie is one trillionth of a Currie, which is the measurement of radioactivity. The “Currie” is named after Madam Currie, who discovered the element radium. Due to her exposure to the radioactive elements, she died from its discovery.
Low radon potential means that up to 5% of the homes tested will test at or above the “Action Level,” as the NJ DEP (and other organizations call it), of 4.0pCi/L.
Moderate radon potential means that above 5% and up to 24.999% of the homes tested will test at or above the “Action Level,” as the NJ DEP (and other organizations call it) of 4.0pCi/L.
High radon potential means that up to 25% or more of the homes tested will test at or above the “Action Level,” as the NJ DEP (and other organizations call it) of 4.0pCi/L.
While there are no high areas in Ocean County, I have had a couple of radon tests that have still come back high. To that point, please note that the definitions of the levels intentionally use the word “Potential.” That means that even Low radon area homes have the potential to test high, and some, if not many, homes in the High radon potential area will test below. As I tell people, there’s no way to predict. Measurement is necessary to determine where your house is.
In Ocean and Monmouth County, there are a number of NJ DEP classified “High” areas. For example, Brick, Little Silver, Shrewsbury, Holmdel, Colts Neck, Marlboro and Freehold (Twp and Boro), Allentown, and others.
In Middlesex County, for example, North Brunswick, Highland Park, and Piscataway are high areas as well.
I have had radon test results that have been less than 0.2 and a recent one over 300! Of course, everyone wants to hear about the high numbers and in my 1000+ radon tests done, I’ve had many from 4.1 to 20. A few over 20. One in the 30s and one in Somerset County over 50.
Additionally, I have had a few high readings where you might not expect it. A Brick location and a Jackson location at 4.0 pCi/L.
I had a home on a slab foundation in a Moderate radon potential area over 25 pCi/L. And earlier this year, one test that came back at 317.0 pCi/L. The 317 was in a home in a High Radon Potential area in a new house in the final stages of construction.
The standard is that NO level of radon exposure is safe. Additionally, radon exists just about everywhere, both inside homes and buildings and outside too! The key, in my opinion, is to test. If you’re living or working close to the ground (Not in a modern high-rise office or apartment building), you should know what the radon levels are where you spend most of your time.
When a radon test is part of a home inspection, the radon test fee is usually $100.00*. In larger homes, multiple test devices may be required therefore affecting the price, but $100.00* is common. For a radon-only test (Not in conjunction with a home inspection), the price is $200* – $350* based on how far the property is from my base of operation.
- – The new prices are due to the NJ DEP’s new radon testing rules effective December 3, 2022.
Our NJ Home Inspector Services
Regal Home Inspections, LLC is based in Brick, NJ and offers all of Ocean County, Monmouth County and Middlesex County certified condo inspections, estate inspections, and townhouse inspections. We provide buyers and sellers with affordable pricing and a detailed professional inspections of their 1 to 4 family home.
It’s likely your mortgage company will require a wood-destroying insect inspection. Regal Home Inspections has the NJ DEP Core & 7B Pesticide Applicator license, so we can offer professional termite and wood-destroying insect inspections as well!
In Ocean County, call Brian @ 732-740-8365 and/or in Monmouth County or Middlesex County, call Call Frank @ 908-902-2590, with questions or for your free quote.
Frank J. Delle Donne Radon Measurement License # MET13186
Brian S. Delle Donne Radon Measurement License # MET14070