Comprehensive Environmental Testing for a Healthier Home

1. Radon Testing: The Invisible Threat

What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas. It is produced by the natural decay of uranium found in nearly all soils. As radon decays, it creates radioactive solid particles. It seeps into homes through cracks in foundation floors and walls, construction joints, and plumbing gaps. Since it comes from the ground, any home, new or old, with or without a basement, can have elevated radon levels.

Radon (Rn-222) is a noble gas formed from radium (Ra-226), which is a decay product of uranium (U-238). Uranium and radium occur naturally in soils and rocks. Radon gas, which has a half-life of 3.8 days, emanates from rocks and soils and tends to concentrate in enclosed spaces, such as underground mines or houses. Radon is now recognized as the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking in the general population. 

Radioactivity is commonly measured in picocuries (pCi). Radon-222 is the decay product of radium-226. Radon-222 and its parent, radium-226, are part of the long decay chain for uranium-238. Since uranium is essentially ubiquitous in the earth's crust, radium-226 and radon-222 are present in almost all rock and all soil and water.

Why is Testing Important?

The only way to determine if your home has an elevated radon level is through testing. Because you cannot see or smell it, radon often goes undetected. Radon levels fluctuate daily, making professional, high-quality, continuous monitoring essential for accurate results.

It is a major contributor to the ionizing radiation dose received by the general population. When radon gas is inhaled, densely ionizing alpha particles emitted by the deposited short-lived decay products of radon (Po-218 and Po-214) can interact with biological tissue in the lungs, leading to DNA damage. Cancer generally requires the occurrence of at least one mutation, and proliferation of intermediate cells that have sustained some degree of DNA damage can greatly increase the pool of cells available for the development of cancer.

To prevent the possibility of long-term exposure to a radon hazard, take the opportunity to test in association with moving into any new or existing home or dwelling.

Health Effects

Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking. When the radioactive particles are inhaled, they can damage the DNA in your lung tissue. Long-term exposure to high levels significantly increases the risk of developing lung cancer, even for non-smokers. Just do a search about the adverse health effects of Radon and full details are available from well respected institutions.

2. Mold Testing: The Hidden Contaminant

What is Mold?

Mold is a type of fungus that grows everywhere, both indoors and outdoors. It requires moisture to grow, so common indoor areas include leaky roofs, damp basements, and areas where water damage has occurred. Common signs are a musty odor or visible patches of discoloration, but mold can thrive hidden behind walls, under floors, or above ceiling tiles.

Why is Testing Important?

Mold testing identifies the type and concentration of mold spores present in your indoor environment. Since mold can be hidden and certain types are more hazardous than others, professional testing helps confirm a problem, determine the scope of the contamination, and provide actionable data for remediation.

Testing for mold in homes is important because mold can negatively impact both health and the structural integrity of a building, often without obvious visible signs. Many types of mold release spores and mycotoxins into the air, which can trigger allergies, asthma, respiratory issues, headaches, and other health problems—especially in children, the elderly, and individuals with weakened immune systems. Mold growth is frequently caused by hidden moisture from leaks, flooding, or high humidity, meaning a home can have a serious mold problem even if it looks clean. Professional mold testing helps identify the presence, type, and extent of mold, allowing homeowners to address the root cause early, prevent costly damage, improve indoor air quality, and create a safer living environment.

Health Effects

Exposure to mold can cause a wide range of adverse health effects, particularly for those with allergies or asthma. Symptoms often include:

Allergic reactions (sneezing, runny nose, red eyes)

Asthma attacks and wheezing

Coughing and persistent respiratory issues

Headaches and fatigue

3. Home Water Quality Testing: Safe Water Starts Here

What is Home Water Quality Testing?

Home water quality testing evaluates the safety, purity, and overall condition of the water you consume and use every day. Whether your water comes from a private well or a municipal supply, testing helps identify invisible contaminants such as minerals, metals, chemicals, and bacteria that may affect taste, plumbing systems, and long-term health.

Why is Testing Important?

Water contamination is often impossible to detect without a laboratory test—most harmful substances are colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Aging pipes, scale built-up inside piples, corrosion, leaching from joint welds or joint glues, agricultural runoff, industrial pollution, and natural mineral deposits can all impact your water quality. Regular testing ensures your family is protected and provides the information needed to make informed decisions about filtration, treatment, and system maintenance.

Some companies advertise free in-home water testing as a way to promote their purification equipment. These tests are typically performed on the spot using a portable kit, without sending samples to a certified laboratory, and are conducted by a salesperson rather than a certified professional. Appointments are scheduled for convenience, but proper sampling protocols—such as collecting water from a faucet that has been unused for at least six hours, as required by certified laboratories—are often not followed. As a result, these “buy-my-equipment” tests are not comparable to certified laboratory testing, where strict sampling and analytical procedures are required. In contrast, our services include more than 30 different types of water tests, including advanced analyses such as Certification for Drinking Water Providers (small distribution systems), which go well beyond the capabilities of any at-home testing methods.

Health Effects

Contaminated water can contribute to a range of health issues, some immediate and others long-term. Identifying problems early helps prevent:

Gastrointestinal illnesses from bacteria and microorganisms

Developmental issues in children due to heavy metals

Skin irritation and hair damage from mineral imbalance

Increased cancer risks associated with long-term exposure to certain contaminants