How to Use a Radon Gas Detector

As naturally occurring minerals decay in the soil, radon gas forms. Depending upon the type of soil, the gas seeps upwards in an area where radon is prevalent, and it can seep into a house through cracks in the basement. Radon detectors can determine if the gas is present in your home.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Utlize two radon detectors, one in a well-trafficked area of your home and another on the lowest level of your home in an undisturbed spot, like a basement, storage or utility room.

2. Position the detector a few feet away from a door or window and on an interior wall. Remove any clutter from the general area in which the radon gas detector is located to prevent false-positive readings.

3. Choose a spot away from drafts and heat sources. Because a radon gas detector may pick up other chemicals in the air, avoid placing it in a bathroom, laundry room or in the kitchen.

4. Plug in the detector and notice the digital display. Radon gas is measure in picoCuries per liter of air (pCi/L) units. The display will show a number between "0" and "999."

5. Allow the detector to remain, undisturbed, for a few days. A radon gas detector works by sampling the air and averaging the radon gas exposure in the room where you plug one in. An accurate short-term reading takes 7 days. The longer the detector remains in that spot, the more accurate the reading.

6. Recognize dangerous levels of radon gas in your home. The EPA has determined that radon gas is dangerous when 4 pCi/L units are present in a home. Radon gas detectors emit a beep periodically when the level of gas reaches or exceeds this amount.

Tips & Warnings

• Radon is one of the leading causes of death from lung cancer, according to the American Cancer Institute. Install and monitor a radon gas detector in your home and hire a radon-mitigating specialist if unsafe levels of the gas are present.

[1citygirl]

on 8/18/2008 Here is an article you might find interesting on purchasing a home radon test kit. http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/826387/home_safety_buying_a_radon_detector.html?cat=6