A radon detector is a device used to detect the presence and amount of radon gas. A radon detector can be used in a private home, institution or place of business. The detector is designed to test the air inside a building and provide a readout of radon levels.
What are some issues with radon gas detectors?
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- Accuracy. Accuracy is one of the most important factors to consider while buying a radon detector. ...
- Connectivity. Generally, we associate connectivity with home security systems but as the technology has progressed, the radon detectors have evolved.
- Mobility. ...
- Ease of Use. ...
- Warranty. ...
- Battery. ...
How do you check for radon gas?
- Short-term radon tests are the most common and convenient. They measure radon levels for between two to seven days, depending on the device. ...
- Long-term tests measure radon levels for 90 days to one year. ...
- Whatever radon test kit you get, make sure it meets the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) requirements.
How accurate are radon detectors?
The National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) also offers performance testing with a requirement of 25% accuracy. Based on the requirements of these two programs, one could generalize that short-term or long-term radon detectors that have passed one of these performance tests have an accuracy of about 25% or possibly better.
What are the best methods of radon detection?
Types of Radon Test Kits
- Short-Term Radon Test Kits. Short-term radon tests take between two to 90 days to collect readings from your home, depending on the manufacturer.
- Long-Term Radon Test Kits. ...
- Alpha-Track Radon Test Kits. ...
- Charcoal Radon Test Kits. ...
- Digital Radon Test Kits. ...
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What does a radon detector detect?
Radon detectors, on the other hand, detect and display the amount of radon in a room. They monitor radon levels, meaning they give you a constant awareness of how much radon you have in your home.
Do I need a radon gas detector?
Health Canada recommends that every homeowner test their home for radon through the placement of at least one long-term detector for a minimum of 3 months. Ideally, this testing period should be when indoor radon levels are highest.
What causes radon gas in houses?
It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem.
Why do people buy radon detectors?
Staying Safe. When it comes to your safety and health, radon detectors are just as important as smoke detectors or combustible gas monitors. When moving to a new home, it is wise to have the property tested to determine radon levels. If they are high, steps for remediation should be taken and a radon detector installed ...
Where is radon most commonly found?
The main source of indoor radon is radon gas infiltration from soil into buildings.Rock and soil produce radon gas.Building materials, the water supply, and natural gas can all be sources of radon in the home.Basements allow more opportunity for soil gas entry than slab-on-grade foundations.More items...
How common is radon in homes?
one out of every 15 homesNearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4 pCi/L or more). Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your state.
Is it OK to live in a house with radon?
However, because radon isn't safe at any level, they also suggest treating homes with radon levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L. According to the EPA, the average radon gas concentration in a home is about 1.3 pCi/L, which does not pose an appreciable risk to most residents living in the house.
What are the symptoms of radon in the house?
If you think you've been exposed Possible symptoms include shortness of breath (difficulty breathing), a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. If you smoke and you know you've been exposed to high levels of radon, it's very important to quit smoking.
What are the first signs of radon poisoning?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning.Persistent cough.Hoarseness.Wheezing.Shortness of breath.Coughing up blood.Chest pain.Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.Loss of appetite.More items...
Where is radon found in homes?
Radon will also intrude into a home from the subsoil on which the house is built, permeating through the floor slab and floor openings." In America and Europe people regularly test their houses for radon exposure, but this is not the case in South Africa. Image: How radon enters your house.
Where should radon detectors be placed?
Place a radon detector in the breathing zone, 2-6 feet above the floor, and away from drafts, exterior walls, sumps, drains, windows or doors. Radon may enter a building through cracks in the foundation or through sumps or drains and will usually be higher near these entry points.
How do I make my house safe from radon?
An active radon sump, fitted with a fan, is the most effective way to reduce indoor radon levels. Sumps work best under solid floors and under suspended floors if the ground is covered with concrete or a membrane. Occasionally, passive sumps without a fan may reduce radon levels.
Can you mitigate radon?
Radon mitigation can be done by professionals, or by just you. Lots of people are going the DIY route nowadays to reduce radon levels in their homes, and odds are you can do it as well.
Is it easy to use a radon detector?
Radon detectors are a lot easier to use than you might think! In fact, some radon detectors are easy to use. The radon detectors that AirThings makes are very straightforward, and they’re, again, some of the best radon detectors out there.
Do air purifiers help with radon?
Air purifiers can be a part of your radon mitigation strategy, but, as I said before, mitigation is a lot more important. Radon mitigation keeps the radon from getting in. Air purifiers, on the other hand, can work to get rid of any radon that your radon home defense misses.
How long does it take for radon to leave a radon detector?
This process may take anything from 3 months up to a year depending on the product.
How long does it take to detect radon?
Short-term radon detection. Short-term radon detection is suitable if you need a speedy answer that will take between 2 days and 3 months. For instance, you can use it after buying a house to check if you need radon mitigation work. These types use charcoal based methods to absorb the radon gas which is later resealed and returned to ...
How long does it take to get radon test results back?
The main advantage of this is speed as it takes less than 90 days for the results which make it significantly faster than long-term methods. However, it still takes a long time to get the results back from the lab.
Is radon a radioactive gas?
Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless making it impossible to detect without a device.Moreover , it is recognized as the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers by the EPA. Hence, early detection is key to improve your long-term health.
Is radon detection accurate?
The type of radon detection system you should purchase depends on the purpose, the desired speed of results, and accuracy. To simplify, radon detection has historically been separated into short-term and long-term tests according to Oregon Public Health. However, with more advanced technology, digital solutions have made testing for radon more convenient and accurate.
Does airthings measure radon?
Although the "old school" methods of radon detection have worked in the past, the hassle of returning items to the vendor takes both time and effort. In other words, it becomes less convenient to measure radon. By digitalizing radon detection, Airthings have created a solution that combines the advantages of these methods while making it more convenient for the end user.
What is radon?
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas. If a person is exposed to high levels over time, it can cause lung cancer.
How does radon gas affect my body?
Breathing in high levels of radon over time can increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, and radon exposure is estimated to be the second leading cause. About 20,000 people in the United States die from radon-related lung cancer every year.
Where is radon gas found?
Radon has been found in every state in the U.S. The amount or levels of radon varies across the country, depending on the kinds of rocks and soil in each area. Because of their working environment, miners are at increased risk for radon exposure.
What causes radon exposure?
When radioactive rocks and soil break down, they release radon gas. That gas can enter buildings through:
What are the symptoms of radon exposure?
There are no immediate signs or symptoms from breathing in background radon.
How is radon exposure diagnosed?
No medical test is widely available to test the human body for radon exposure.
Can I test the radon level in my home?
Yes. Home testing is an important measure to take, especially if you live in an area where radon levels are higher.
How does radon gas get trapped in a building?
Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Indoor radon can be controlled and managed with proven, cost-effective techniques. Breathing radon over time increases your risk of lung cancer.
How many people die from radon?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Nationally, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. You can take steps to reduce and control the amount of radon in your home.
Is radon dangerous?
Radon gas is inert, colorless and odorless. Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue.
Two Types of Radon Tests
Many of you may be confused as to what should be applied in radon gas testing. There is a reason why the terms “test kit” and “detector” differ. So what is their difference?
Arising Problems Regarding Radon Gas Detectors
When purchasing radon gas detectors, there are numerous aspects to consider to avoid specific problems and keep a clean and healthy home.
Why Radon Gas Detectors Are Important
Radon detection is critical for protecting your lung tissue from alpha particles in the short term and radioactive materials in the long run. Both of these may cause cancer, and because radon gas levels fluctuate over a year, it’s a good idea to invest in a radon detector to ensure that the air you’re breathing is safe.
Where does radon gas come from?
Radon gas occurs everywhere around the world. Escaping from the breakdown of uranium in igneous rock and underground water, radon gas seeps up to the earth's surface. The gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, so it is difficult to detect.
What is the average radon level?
The best radon level measurement would be zero. Unfortunately, that's not possible. The average global outdoor radon level varies between 5-15 Bq/m3, equal to 0.135-0.405 pCi/L. For every 99.9 Bq/m3, or every 2.7 pCI/L increase in long term radon exposure, lung cancer risk rises 16% 4. The thing to remember is that the lower the level, the lower the risk.As radon gas can accumulate indoors, it is important to monitor daily. Airthings radon detectors can give you peace of mind, so that you are notified when high radon levels occur.
What is the standard level of radon?
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency action level of 4 pCi/L is the standard, a little higher than that of the WHO. It is also thought that reducing levels to sub-4.0 p/Ci would cut yearly cancer deaths from radon in half.
How many people die from radon?
One thing remains certain: radon can cause cancer. In fact, approximately 21,000 people die from radon-related lung cancer every year in the United States and 20,000 in the EU 1. That alone should be the reason to find out if you, or your family, is being exposed to excessive levels of the dangerous gas.
What is the reference level for gas?
The World Health Organization recommends that countries adopt reference levels of the gas of 100 Bq/m3 (Becquerel per cubic metre). If this level cannot be implemented under the prevailing country-specific conditions, WHO recommends that the reference level should not exceed 300 Bq/m3. Wave.
Can radon be fixed?
It is important to remember that in most cases, high radon levels can be fixed easily and simply. Whether it is following easy radon reduction tips, increasing ventilation, performing DIY fixes or contacting a radon mitigator, radon gas levels can be improved dramatically. Radon gas occurs everywhere around the world.
Is it important to monitor radon levels?
The thing to remember is that the lower the level, the lower the risk.As radon gas can accumulate indoors, it is important to monitor daily. Airthings radon detectors can give you peace of mind, so that you are notified when high radon levels occur.
