How Is the Radon Level in a Home Determined?

Does this house have radon gas?

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that can be found in homes, offices and other buildings all over the United States. This gas gets into the air from the breakdown of uranium in the soil, rocks and water. People who breathe air that contains high amounts of radon can get cancer, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Radon can be measured in several different ways, according to information from the State of New Jersey.

Charcoal Canister

You can measure radon with a charcoal canister that costs $10 to $20. This measurement takes three to seven days and is easy to do since you can buy the canister and send it for analysis through the U.S. mail.

Alpha Track

Another way to measure radon is called "alpha track." This system costs $25 to $100 and takes at least several months or as long as one year. This method provides a way to test radon not just over a week, but over a longer period. That's important because the level of radon can fluctuate. You can buy the test and send it for analysis through the U.S. mail.

Electret

This method of radon measurement costs $100 to $150 and lasts either several days or several months, up to one year, depending on the type of test. This is usually done by professional testing companies that will come out to the home or office or other property and do the test.

Continuous Radon

The continuous method is the most expensive, costing several hundred dollars, and is done by a professionally trained operator. This method takes hourly readings of radon concentrations in the air over a 48-hour period. Another option is the "grab sample" method, which is also costly and requires a trained operator, but can completed in one hour.

The Results

If the radon level in the home, office or other properties is more than four picocuries per liter (pCiL), the home should be fixed to reduce the level of radon to a safe amount. If the level is lower, radon may still be present and could pose a risk of cancer, so remediation should be considered, according to the EPA. The average reading is about 1.3 pCiL. The most common repair is to add a pipe vent and fan to the home to remove the radon.

References

• New Jersey: How Do You Measure Radon?
• EPA: A Citizen's Guide to Radon