Since radon levels fluctuate so much, short-term testing isn't as reliable as long-term testing. Radon levels fluctuate day to day and month to month, so you'll get the most accurate results from a long-term test. Every long-term test will measure radon levels for more than 90 days.
What to do with a positive Radon test?
How do you lower radon levels in your house?
- Caulk foundation cracks, construction joints, and other openings with polyurethane caulk.
- If you have a sump pump, install an airtight cover on it (choose one that allows access to your sump).
- Cover soil in crawl spaces with polyurethane plastic sheeting (with a minimum thickness of 6 mil, available at home centers) tightly attached to the walls.
Should you get a radon test when buying a home?
Whenever you are purchasing a new home, you really should get a radon test before closing the sale. If testing reveals an unacceptable level of the gas found within your home, it is a good idea to initiate radon remediation methods. Radon remediation means you can rest assured the gas won't accumulate within your home.
Are radon measurements accurate and reliable?
While any measurement system has an associated variability in precision and accuracy, we expect that radon test devices that are used properly will provide accurate and reliable results. The study presented here only represents a part of the picture of accuracy and reliability.
Is radon testing worth it?
“It’s worth testing for radon because it’s easy to test for and easy to mitigate… and cancer is such a devastating disease that’s best avoided,” said Dr. Douglas Kemme, an oncologist with UCHealth in northern Colorado. Testing is recommended during a time of the year when all of the windows and doors are closed – like this month, January.
How often are radon tests wrong?
About 40% of the short-term tests incorrectly indicate that the radon level is below the Action Limit (“false negatives”). Although the home should be mitigated, the homeowner may feel confident that there is no radon problem. Even the 90-day radon tests show false negatives in two out of eight tests (or 25%).
What is the difference between a short term and long term radon test?
Short term - A short-term test typically measures radon levels for 2-7 days and is a quick way to screen a home for radon. When you test for radon you should start with a short-term test. Long term - A long-term test measures radon levels for a minimum of 90 days.
Which radon test is most accurate?
The Radon Eye RD200 tops our list for its fast, accurate readings. After setting up this radon detector, you'll get your initial reading within the first 10 minutes with a more accurate reading appearing within the next 60.
Can radon readings be wrong?
The short answer is yes, as errors can happen with any type of test, but the likelihood of a wrong radon level reading changes greatly based on a variety of factors.
Are home radon tests reliable?
"Short-term radon test kits are not effective in measuring radon gas exposure: Findings show radon tests of less than 90 days are imprecise up to 99 percent of the time." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 4 December 2019.
How accurate are home radon detectors?
The National Radon Safety Board evaluates radon measurement devices in cooperation with the US Environmental Protection Agency. It requires that the individual relative error of each device be less than or equal to 20.0% and that the precision error of all devices be less than or equal to 20.0%.
Do radon monitors work?
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.
How do you manipulate a radon test?
Some of these methods for how to pass a radon test include:Open windows. By opening the windows, you increase fresh air circulation and reduce the concentration of radon in the home.Install basement vents. ... Use fans. ... Create exits. ... Mitigation.
What is the best way to test for radon?
You can either hire a radon tester or purchase a radon test kit from a hardware store and do it yourself. However, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends hiring a qualified tester if you are buying or selling your home.
Will opening basement windows reduce radon?
As a temporary solution, however, you can reduce radon levels simply by opening windows. 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.
Can radon levels fluctuate?
Radon levels are constantly changing – hourly, daily, and seasonal fluctuations are all common. If you have tested multiple times and received back differing results, don't be too alarmed – this is common!
What should you not do during a radon test?
Turn off all air moving devices during the test. This would include ceiling fans, dehumidifiers, regular fans, HEPA or any other kind of filtering device that moves air. Do not operate fireplaces or heating stoves during the test unless they are your main source of heat.
Why is my radon reading skewed?
Opening and closing windows and doors, walking around, and simply living in your space can cause radon readings to be skewed. That means even though the radon levels in your home could be dangerously high, the movement of your family and the flow of air can cause the tests to be highly inaccurate. -back to top.
What is the goal of Radon Eliminator?
Our primary goal at Radon Eliminator is to share the essential information as it relates to radon, its health effects and what you can do to protect yourself and your family.
How to do a radon test?
Remember that instructions for DIY radon test kits can be the same or could be similar to every other test. If you want to create DIY test kits, you may follow the instructions below: 1 For 12 hours, make sure to keep all doors and windows closed before and during the test. 2 Place the testing device at the lowest level of living and not the lowest level. This is because you need to know the level of radon you’re breathing daily. Therefore, make sure to test your crawlspace to avoid inaccurate results. 3 Make sure to leave the test undisturbed for 48 to 96 hours, depending on the duration listed in the instructions for the test you bought. 4 Send the device to the lab once the test is done. They will send the results back to you promptly.
How long does it take to test for radon?
It is done to screen a home for radioactive gas. Short-term radon tests are conducted if you want to test a radon property, and you are planning to decrease the radon levels. On the other hand, the long-term test can measure radon levels for a minimum of 90 days. This type of test is ideal if you want to estimate radon’s annual average in your home. It would be best to perform the long-term radon test in both heating and non-heating seasons.
Can you use a DIY radon test kit?
If you are looking for a more inexpensive way of testing your home, school, or office for radon, then you may consider using DIY radon test kits. However, you should remember that the accuracy of a DIY radon test is always uncertain. Meaning, you cannot only depend on this kind of test. DIY radon test kits are only used if you want to determine the presence of the radioactive gas.
How to test for radon?
The unfortunate truth is that there is no perfect system and there is always some room for inaccuracy. With that said, there are several ways to ensure you get the most reliable results possible: 1 Work with a professional: The most important thing is to use a professional radon contractor when possible. While test kits aren’t terrible, testing by a professional is always more accurate and they will be able to account for potential interference. 2 Use a long term test: If you are very worried about fluctuations, a long term test will give a more accurate average radon level. Although, waiting over 90 days is a lot to ask. 3 Test a second time: If you are using a short term test kit, simply do another test. This can be done at the same time or right after the initial test. Even if you choose to have a radon mitigation system installed, this can be a good idea just to make sure the system is working as intended.
How long to wait to test for radon?
Use a long term test: If you are very worried about fluctuations, a long term test will give a more accurate average radon level. Although, waiting over 90 days is a lot to ask. Test a second time: If you are using a short term test kit, simply do another test.
What is the EPA recommended radon level?
This is why the EPA still strongly recommends that you install a radon mitigation system if your radon levels are between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. There is no safe level of radon exposure, so taking action to reduce your levels if they are above 2 pCi/L is common.
Is a long term radon test reliable?
In other words, short term radon tests are sufficient for most homes, but if you are really concerned about accuracy, then a long term radon test will be more reliable.
Is 4.0 pCi/L radon dangerous?
While the EPA may set the actionable level at 4.0 pCi/L, any level of radon is dangerous and a radon mitigation system will never be wasted. More importantly, if your home tested too low, then your family will still be safe. The last thing you want is to gamble with your health and that of your family.
Is radon mitigation necessary?
While this could lead to you installing a radon mitigation system that is not strictly necessary, any level of radon is dangerous and a radon mitigation system is rarely a worthless investment, particularly considering the relatively low installation cost. This is probably the least dangerous inaccuracy as a result.
Is radon a natural gas?
Radon is a dangerous naturally occurring gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States & Canada among nonsmokers. Unfortunately, this gas is odorless, colorless, and completely invisible to the naked eye, making it impossible to detect without professional help or a radon testing kit. This, of course, begs the question, can ...
Types of Radon Testing
Radon testing also has types, namely the short-term and long-term radon tests. Short and long-term tests both detect radon levels; however, the accuracy varies depending on the length of the test. A short-term test helps determine your present radon levels; however, these levels might change owing to a variety of causes, such as:
False Positive
Your home may test higher than four pCi/L, although the long-term average is below it. This might lead to you purchasing a radon mitigation system that isn’t necessary; any amount of radon is harmful, and a radon mitigation system is rarely a waste of money, especially given the inexpensive installation cost.
False Negative
This is a far more hazardous result that occurs when your house tests below the action threshold of 4 pCi/L but is greater on average. This may lead to you failing to install a radon mitigation system when one is required.
Why is a radon test more accurate than a short term test?
This type of device is more accurate than the short-term kits because it allows for a larger data set to be collected and reviewed, instead of the results being swayed by radon spikes, unpredictable highs or lows in radon levels that can cause false test results.
What is a long term radon test?
Long-term radon test kits, as the name suggests, are designed to test the home over a longer period of time. One style is a single-use device collected at the end of the usage period and sent to a laboratory for testing. This type of device is more accurate than the short-term kits because it allows for a larger data set to be collected and reviewed, instead of the results being swayed by radon spikes, unpredictable highs or lows in radon levels that can cause false test results.
What is a radon detector?
Your radon detector is designed to find out how much radon you’re being exposed to on a daily basis, so keep it on the lowest livable level of the home where you and your family spend the most time.
How does a radon test kit work?
The alpha-track radon test kit—and long-term testing method—tests levels of radon by means of polycarbonate plastic sheets that the homeowner places the test kit in the lowest livable level of the home. Radon gas emits alpha particles, which create tracks on the sheets. Higher levels of alpha tracks indicate high levels of alpha particles and radon. Once the alpha-track radon test kit has been in place for the manufacturer’s suggested time period, the homeowner removes it and sends it to a lab for testing.
What is a corentium radon detector?
The Corentium Home Radon Detector is one of the first continuous radon test kits to use batteries, making it completely independent from outlets. The device is portable and can be placed in any location you want to test. For best results, always follow manufacturer guidelines.
Why do charcoal detectors absorb radon?
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. These tracks are then counted at the lab.
How long does it take to get radon test results?
Short-term radon tests take between two to 90 days to collect readings from your home, depending on the manufacturer. You must then send these test kits to a laboratory to have the results calculated and returned to you. The lab fees and shipping costs are sometimes included with the product you purchase, so be sure to understand whether you will need to pay the fees.
