What Is A Radon Detector

Radon detectors, on the other hand, detect and display the amount of radon in a room. They monitor radon levels, meaning they give you a constant awareness of how much radon you have in your home.

Why do I need a radon detector?

When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high. You Should Test for Radon. Testing is the only way to find out your home’s radon levels.

What are the symptoms of radon in your home?

A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning. Persistent cough. Hoarseness. Wheezing. Shortness of breath. Coughing up blood. Chest pain. Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. Loss of appetite.

Where does radon come from in a house?

Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up.

How does a radon detector work?

Radon tests work by counting or tracking the amount of radon in the air. Charcoal devices absorb radon so that the radioactive particles can be counted at a lab for accurate radon level estimates. Alpha-track test kits have a plastic film that becomes marked by alpha particles that strike it.

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.

Is radon harmful to humans?

Breathing radon over time increases your risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Nationally, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.

Where should radon detectors be placed?

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.

What does radon smell like?

Radon gas does not have a smell. It is odorless, colorless, tasteless, and invisible to the human eye. If you have high levels of radon in your home, you won’t notice any immediate adverse effects.

Should you walk away from a house with radon?

Should you walk away from the deal? Consumer Reports says you don’t have to. Radon-related deaths are due to exposure over the course of a lifetime. “You should definitely take it seriously but you really don’t need to walk away from the home.

How do you eliminate radon?

Other radon reduction techniques that can be used in any type of home include: sealing, house or room pressurization, heat recovery ventilation and natural ventilation. Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation is a basic part of most approaches to radon reduction.

How can radon be prevented?

More Ways to Take Action Stop smoking and discourage smoking in your home. Increase air flow in your house by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate air. Seal cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk, or other materials designed for this purpose.

How long does radon take to affect you?

Radon gas can damage cells in your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually takes 5 to 25 years to develop. Early signs and symptoms of lung cancer may include: persistent cough.

What are 5 facts about radon?

Here are a few facts about radon, and what you can do to help keep your family healthy and safe. Radon is radioactive. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Radon causes cancer. No immediate symptoms. You must test for radon. Radon is present indoors and outdoors. Radon can build up in any building.

What increases radon?

In most cases, high winds increase radon levels in homes. Cold winter weather – snow, ice, colder temperatures, etc. Each of these types of weather causes the ground to be more compact and creating pressure for radon to escape elsewhere.

How accurate are radon tests?

“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.

How long do radon detectors last?

This helps ensure that its readings are accurate and reliable. Boasting a two-year battery life, the Corentium Home can provide long-term results and monitor your surrounding radon levels with great precision. You can easily replace the three standard AAA batteries, allowing your device to last up to 10 years.

Does smart radon work?

The highly sensitive, Bluetooth-enabled detector will begin to detect radon levels within the first hour of installation. Radon Eye says its detector is “about 20 – 30 times more sensitive than a conventional radon detector,” giving you precise, accurate readings for peace of mind.

What is in a radon test kit?

A DIY radon test kit will either be charcoal or alpha track. Charcoal tests absorb the radon in the air for a specified amount of time, and once in the lab, the radioactive particles emitted by the charcoal are counted or converted to light, giving a radon level readout.

Can air filters remove radon?

Yes, air purifiers help with radon gas reduction to some extent. The air purifiers with activated carbon filter technology are highly effective in trapping radon gas.

How do you know if you have been exposed to radon?

If you think you’ve been exposed Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you’ve been exposed to high levels of radon, it’s very important to quit smoking.

What type of soil is radon found in?

The U.S. Geological Survey explains that radon moves easily and quickly through porous soils, like sand and gravel, and slower through more solid soils, clay being one such example. Moisture has a lot to do with this.