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Most are activated charcoal-based or electret ion that measure radon levels for two to seven days. You mail the tests to a lab for the results. Short-term tests are available at home centers, hardware stores and online retailers. Long-term tests measure levels for 90 days to one year.
How are radon tests performed?
Testing is done by placing a small radon-sensitive device on the wall of your home. After a period of time-ranging from several days to several months-the detector must be sent to a laboratory, where the actual radon exposure is calculated. Two types of tests are available.
What should you not do during a radon test?
Turn off all air moving devices during the test. This would include ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, regular fans, HEPA or any other kind of filtering device that moves air. Do not operate fireplaces or heating stoves during the test unless they are your main source of heat.
How do you prepare for a radon test?
Begin by keeping the home’s doors and windows closed for up to 12 hours prior to the radon test.How to prepare for a radon test Have windows open. Have ceiling fans operating. Have attic fans operating. Have humidifiers or dehumidifiers operating. Have fireplaces operating (chimney dampers should be closed).
Can I test for radon myself?
You can do it yourself or hire someone to do it for you. from a hardware store. Or you can order one by calling 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236) or going to the National Radon Program Services website (http://sosradon.org/test-kits). Set up the testing device to check the air for radon.
Are home radon test kits accurate?
“Short-term radon test kits are not effective in measuring radon gas exposure: Findings show radon tests of less than 90 days are imprecise up to 99 percent of the time.” ScienceDaily.
Where is radon most commonly found?
Radon levels are usually higher in basements, cellars and living spaces in contact with the ground. However, considerable radon concentration can also be found above the ground floor. Radon concentrations vary considerably between adjacent buildings, as well as within a building from day to day and from hour to hour.
Where is the best place to put a radon test?
Place a radon detector in the breathing zone, 2-6 feet above the floor, and away from drafts, exterior walls, sumps, drains, windows or doors. Radon may enter a building through cracks in the foundation or through sumps or drains and will usually be higher near these entry points.
Can you open basement door during radon test?
It is much preferred not to open the basement door during the radon test. This is because radon is an odorless and colorless gas that mingles with room air. If a portal of entry is open, you risk getting skewed results of a much lower radon concentration level.
Do open windows affect radon testing?
Opening windows at the upper levels actually has the potential to increase radon levels during a short-term test. In reality, if enough windows are opened, very small amounts of wind will be far larger factors than stack effect, and radon levels will probably decrease.
What time of year is radon highest?
The reason that radon levels in the home can be higher in the summer and winter is two-fold. During the winter, the air in your home tends to be much warmer than the outside air, and this temperature difference creates a vacuum within your home.
Will a ceiling fan affect a radon test?
Running a ceiling fan will affect radon test results. The wind from the fan can move the radon away from the test kit, depending on where it is placed. This will give inaccurate test results.
What can cause a false positive radon test?
Can Radon Tests Be Wrong? Barometric pressure. Temperature/Season. House construction. Rain soaked ground. HVAC system. Improper placement of the device.
Are charcoal radon tests accurate?
Charcoal Radon Test Kits These tests are the cheapest and quickest options for measuring radon levels in your home, but they are also the least accurate because they are susceptible to spikes in radon levels and interference during shipping for lab tests.
How common is radon in homes?
It’s common: About 1 in every 15 homes has what’s considered an elevated radon level. The gas is odorless and invisible, says the EPA, and it causes no immediate symptoms, so the only way to know if your home is affected is by testing your individual residence.
How do you eliminate radon?
Active subslab suction — also called subslab depressurization — is the most common and usually the most reliable radon reduction method. One or more suction pipes are inserted through the floor slab into the crushed rock or soil underneath. They also may be inserted below the concrete slab from outside the home.
Is it OK to live in a house with radon?
If you smoke and live in a home with high radon levels, you increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Over time, these radioactive particles increase the risk of lung cancer. It may take years before health problems appear. People who smoke and are exposed to radon are at a greater risk of developing lung cancer.
How often should radon be checked?
If you’re wondering how often you should test for radon, here are the facts. To provide peace of mind, 2the EPA recommends testing your home after any lifestyle changes, renovations and every two years as part of routine home maintenance.
How much do radon detectors cost?
Compare the best radon detectors Product Price Best overall Radon Eye RD200 $174.00 Best smart radon detector AirThings Wave Plus $253.96 Best digital test AirThings Corentium $199.95 Best for long- and short-term testing SafetySiren Pro4 $219.99.
