A radon test kit collects radon gas or radioactive particles so they can be measured. This sample is used to estimate the total amount of radon in your home's air.

What does a radon test kit do?

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.

Is a radon test worth it?

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?

• Persistent cough.
• Hoarseness.
• Wheezing.
• Shortness of breath.
• Coughing up blood.
• Chest pain.
• Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Loss of appetite.

How do you test for radon in your home?

You can hire a professional tester or do it yourself with a kit you buy at a hardware store or online. Follow the instructions for leaving the kit in your house for the required number of days. Then mail it to a lab and wait for the results. If radon levels in your home are high, you can take steps to lower them.

What Is Radon And Should I Be Concerned | Radon Test Kits

Is it OK to live in a house with radon?

The EPA states, “Radon is a health hazard with a simple solution.” Once radon reduction measures are in place, home buyers need not worry about the quality of the air in the home. ... Since removing radon is relatively simple, your family will be safe in a home with a radon reduction system in place.

Where do you place a radon test kit?

Place the test kit on a shelf or table against an interior wall that is free from ventilation sources like vents or air returns. Keep the test at least three feet away from all windows, doorways, and exterior walls.

Is radon only in basements?

Basements aren't the only place you can find radon. This is a common assumption since radon is most commonly found in basements. Unfortunately, it's also very wrong. Radon gas can be found anywhere in any home, not just in the basement.

Are home radon test kits accurate?

Findings show radon tests of less than 90 days are imprecise up to 99 percent of the time. ... A new study finds the only reliable way to measure exposure to radon gas is with a long-term testing kit, 90 or more days. Researchers placed two test kits, a short term (five-day) and long term (90-day) in the same homes.

Does radon stay in the basement?

Also, once the windows, doors, or vents are closed, the radon concentration returns to the previous level within hours according to EPA studies. FACT: Its concentration is usually the highest in basements, simply because it emanates out of the soil through the basement.

How common is radon in homes?

It's common: About 1 in every 15 homes has what's considered an elevated radon level. The gas is odorless and invisible, says the EPA, and it causes no immediate symptoms, so the only way to know if your home is affected is by testing your individual residence.

Where is radon most likely 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.

What should you not do during a radon test?

Three feet from doors and windows, away from heat source or humidity. Windows remain closed before and during the test. Maintain regular entry and exit through exterior doors. Maintain normal HVAC operation but no house or window fans.

What can affect radon test results?

• Barometric pressure.
• Temperature/Season.
• House construction.
• Rain soaked ground.
• HVAC system.
• Improper placement of the device.

Does running furnace affect radon test?

Winter is a good time to test for radon because you are, in-most cases, measuring the worst case scenario for your home. With the hatches battened down and the furnace running, you are creating a scenario that can cause radon levels to be higher.

Can radon tests tell if windows are open?

It is important to note that when testing a home for radon, the home must stay closed up. If any doors or windows to the outside are open, the test will be invalid.

How often should radon be checked?

It's easy to test for radon with our home kits, but it's not enough to test once. If you're wondering how often you should test for radon, here are the facts. To provide peace of mind, ²the EPA recommends testing your home after any lifestyle changes, renovations and every two years as part of routine home maintenance.

Does opening window reduce radon?

Opening windows improves air circulation and ventilation, helping move radon out of the house and mixing radon-free outside air with indoor air. Make sure all your basement windows are open. ... Opening basement windows helps reduce negative air pressure, diluting radon with clean outdoor air.

How do you eliminate radon?

There's no single method that fits all radon removal system needs. Common techniques include: Sub-slab depressurization, where suction pipes are inserted through the floor or concrete slab into the concrete slab below the home. A radon vent fan then draws out the radon gas and releases it into the air outside.

Does radon travel upstairs?

Radon is known to be a heavy gas. ... Please understand that the radon level can be significantly higher on an upper floor. Even if the radon level is lower on the first floor than say a basement radon level, it could be higher on the second floor. The only way to know is if you test.

Does a dehumidifier reduce radon?

No, buying a dehumidifier will not make radon go away. ... Radon must be removed by a remediation method like active soil depressurization (ASD), which ironically has been shown to be even more effective at removing humidity from a home than a dehumidifier in the same EPA study.

How is radon testing done?

Electret ion detectors measure radon through its loss of electrons in its decay process. The electret ion detector has a electret in the bottom which is positively electrically charged. It reduces in charge as the ions are released from the decay of the radon.

How much does it cost to fix a radon problem?

The cost of a mitigation system may vary according to the home's design, size, foundation, construction materials and the local climate. Radon reduction systems average costs nationally are $1,200 with a range from $800 to $1500 common depending on house and market conditions.

Is radon a deal breaker?

You can't see it, smell it, or taste it, but radon gas is a leading cause of lung cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, the presence of radon in your home doesn't have to be a deal breaker.