Things You'll Need:
- Radon Test Kit
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Step 1
The radon content in your home can vary widely from season to season. It will be higher in your basement than in your upper floors, and it will dissipate faster when all the windows are open during nice weather.
Because of the variations there are two types of test for radon. The more accurate one is a long-term test, which takes months to get a good sample. Therefore the EPA recommends that you first do a short-term test to see if the long test is necessary. (Especially if you want to sell your home -- some states require you to test it, and sometimes buyers want to know the results.)
These instructions assume you are using a short-term test. Long-term tests will be similar, but obviously not as tricky in terms of timing. -
Step 2
You can buy test kits from many hardware stores, as well as from online retailers. Sometimes you can get them from the county health office. (Be sure to give them a call first.) The kit consists of a tray of material that absorbs radon, a form to fill out about how you did the test, and a pre-paid envelope that you can use to send it to the laboratory.
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Step 3
You want to test under the worst conditions -- when windows are closed, and there is little air coming in. Winter is good, but you can also do it in summer if you shut up the windows and such first. (You can run air conditioning, since that only circulates air within the house.)
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Step 4
Before you break the seal on the package that holds the testing tray, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS. The laboratory will need to know exactly how long the tray was exposed to the air in your house, among other things. So make sure you know where you're going to put it, and understand the paperwork before you break that seal. There is usually a contact number you can call if you have questions.
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Step 5
Just as you want to test when the windows have been closed, you also want to test on the lowest floor where people spend much time. If you use the basement a lot, you will want to test there. Otherwise, the first floor is good. (Some recommend that you do a separate test in several areas of the house.)
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Step 6
Most tests are 48 or 72 hours. Start the test early in the day so it will end at a time when the post office is still open. Also start it on a weekend or Monday so that it will end on a day when the post office is open! You want to mail it as soon as you finish the test.
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Step 7
When you remove the tray from its sealed envelope, be sure you DON'T puncture or break the seal on the cover the tray itself. You don't have to expose the charcoal in the tray. The paper cover will let the radon through at the rate the laboratory needs.
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Step 8
Leave the tray in an exposed area, like a desk or table top, at about the height where people will be breathing the air. (Not on a high shelf or on the floor.) Leave it there for as close to the exact time in the instructions as you can. If you have to deviate a little, that's okay, but make sure that's noted on the paperwork that goes with the test.
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Step 9
When the test time is up, make sure the form is filled out exactly right, with the start and stop times for the test, and your contact information, and seal the form and the tray in the pre-paid envelope. Mail it as soon as you can.
Comments
2besure said
on 2/6/2009 Some many things we have to be careful of. Great article!
lastgunslinger said
on 2/6/2009 Helpful test. Thanks for the article! 5*