All of Wisconsin is in either “Moderate Potential” or “Highest Potential” risk for finding radon. Many Wisconsin counties, especially in the southwestern portion of the state, are in the “Highest Potential” area.
While carbon canisters are still a reliable testing method, we are now using electronic monitors. All short-term tests must remain a minimum of 48 hours to obtain an accurate result. The carbon canisters must then be sealed and mailed to a laboratory to determine the result. The process will often take a few days beyond the end of the canister retrieval. The electronic monitors produce a result as soon as the information is uploaded to the device software.
Radon testing is becoming more widely accepted in the Real Estate process. Wisconsin is considering joining the growing number of states that require radon testing as part of each home purchase.
Some believe testing radon levels in the basement, rather than on the first floor, will double the result. The EPA guidelines instruct device placement on the lowest level used in the home. Determining the lowest level being used can sometimes be difficult and is up to the judgement of the tester. While the result is generally higher in a basement, the result will often be less than 1 point higher.
Radon gas is present everywhere. The average outdoor level is .4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) and the average indoor level is 1.3 pCi/L. While the EPA currently recommends action when the level gets above 4.0 pCi/L, no level of radon is considered completely safe so the recommendation is to keep the level as low as possible.
Information from the EPA:
Radon Myths and Facts
Please see basic information from the EPA by clicking on the link provided: Basic Radon Facts
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services reports 1 out of 10 Wisconsin homes has high radon levels.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/radon/index.htm