Indoor Air Quality

Radon Testing and Mitigation
Mold Testing and Mitigation

Radon Testing and Mitigation
"CES, Inc. did a very nice installation [of eight radon mitigation systems] under very challenging circumstances. They paid attention to detail, safety practices, and the quality of the finished product. All [deliverables] were on time. It was a pleasure to work with CES; I highly recommend them.”
- Louis Plaud, Contract Surveillance Representative, Naval Security Group Activity, Winter Harbor

Regardless of the size or type of your structure, radon testing is an important, and often overlooked, step in assuring the general health of its occupants. Radon is a radioactive natural gas that results from the breakdown of uranium into radium and radon. Uranium is present throughout bedrock and ledge. Since much of the State of Maine is shallow to bedrock, Maine tends to have high radon levels. Exposure to radon occurs by two specific means: the air you breathe and the water you drink. Radon can enter a building by natural vacuums caused by the building and its heating system. Radon is pulled into a water supply well as groundwater passes over bedrock that contains radon. The only way to know if radon is present is to test for it in the air, and if using a private well, in the well water.

According to the US Surgeon General and Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It has been estimated that radon causes approximately 14,000 deaths per year nationally, of which approximately 165 are in Maine. The EPA has set an action level of 4.0 picoCurries per Liter for radon mitigation. A level of 4 pCi/L is equivalent to receiving approximately 80 chest x-rays per year. Children are especially susceptible to radon exposure.
Radon Mitigation is the process of removing radon (or its source) before it enters the building. This process can be completed in a variety of ways. Radon in air is typically mitigated through creating a larger vacuum on the sub foundation soil than what the building above is inducing. This allows the radon gas to vent to the atmosphere and bypass the building interior. Water systems remove the radon through bubble aeration or activated carbon filtration. Each type of system requires post mitigation testing to ensure levels have been adequately reduced. We employ four State of Maine Registered Radon Service Providers and three State of Maine Certified Radon Mitigators.

Mold Inspection and Testing    

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) has become a major concern for homeowners and business owners. Certain types of indoor contaminates can have serious health consequences. Indoor air contaminates such as mold, bacteria, and radon are now routinely tested in the indoor environment in order to assess the potential for health related issues. CES currently conducts inspections, testing, and evaluations related to these types of IAQ concerns. CES staff are happy to answer your IAQ questions and to provide you with the IAQ services required.