How to Check for Radon
Radon is a radioactive gas generated by the decay of uranium in dirt, rock and water. If your home does not have radon reducing systems in place, a build-up of radon can occur that can cause very serious ailments such as cancer and lung disease. Radon can enter through cracks in the structure of your home or through the water supply, and it can only be detected through radon testing procedures. Thankfully, learning how to check for radon in the home is inexpensive and easy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Short-term Testing (less than 90 days)
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Purchase a do-it-yourself radon testing kit, which are widely available in hardware stores or sites across the World Wide Web. Terms associated with such kits are: electret ion chamber; charcoal liquid scintillation; and charcoal canister.
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Close all windows and doors in the home to be tested 12 hours before testing begins. During the test, it is best to keep windows and doors closed as much as possible to allow for accurate readings of radon.
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Turn off all fans or HVAC systems that circulate outside air with inside air. Fans and HVAC systems that recirculate inside air may continue to be used.
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Deploy the radon testing kit in the lowest area of the home that is frequently used. If the basement of a home is often used, place the kit there, otherwise keep it in the main room of the first floor. However, do not deploy the testing kit in a kitchen or bathroom.
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Make sure the testing kit remains 20 inches or more from the floor during the testing period, and ensure that it is in a place not disturbed by moving air or excessive heat or humidity.
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Follow all directions with the radon testing kit. At the conclusion of the test, you will need to send the kit to the manufacturer for analysis and test results, which may take a few weeks.
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Administer another short term test if radon levels are found to be more than 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). If the second test verifies high radon levels, then radon reduction steps should be taken.
Long-term Testing (more than 90 days)
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Purchase a long-tern radon testing kit at a hardware store or Internet site. Terms associated with such kits are "electret" and "alpha track."
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Administer a short-term radon test first, and if levels of radon are more than 4 pCi/L, then follow up with another short-term test to be sure or do a long-term test for a more accurate reading over time.
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Follow all instructions included with the long-term testing kit.
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Measure fluctuations in radon levels over long periods with the long-term testing kit, and if readings of 4 pCi/L are detected, then research measures to reduce the radon levels in your home and keep them low.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are considering a new home purchase, you may want to hire a professional radon tester to determine the levels of radon. Check with your state's radon program office for a list of registered and qualified radon testers by visiting the site listed in the Resources section of this article.
Radon is invisible and has no taste or smell. The only way it can be detected is through radon testing. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the United States Surgeon General, but radon is number two.
