Keeping your home safe involves more than just locking doors and windows; it also means being aware of invisible threats like radon gas. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can build up indoors and is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon testing is the only way to know your home’s radon level, so knowing the different types of radon tests is important.
Testing for radon is the first step in protecting your family from exposure.
In this article, we’ll explore the different types of radon tests available, from short-term and long-term kits to advanced continuous monitoring systems like our proprietary Radon Sentinel™ Radon Measurement System
What is Radon Testing?
Radon testing is essential for measuring the radon levels in your home or building. It involves using specialized detectors or monitors placed in different areas to measure radon concentrations over a period of time. These tests help determine if radon levels exceed safety guidelines, allowing homeowners to take appropriate actions to reduce risks and ensure healthy indoor air quality.
Regular testing is advised to monitor any changes in radon levels and maintain a safe living environment for you and your family.
What are the Different Types of Radon Tests?
Several types of devices are used for radon testing, each with specific applications and benefits. Understanding these radon testing options will help you make the best choice to keep your home healthy and safe.
The most common include:
- Short-Term Test Kits: These are typically used for initial screening and provide results quickly, usually within 2 to 7 days. They include activated charcoal canisters, electret ion chambers, and alpha track detectors.
- Long-Term Test Kits: These devices, such as alpha track detectors and electret ion chambers, remain in the home for an extended period, typically 90 days to a year, offering a more full picture of the average radon level in the home over time.
- Continuous Radon Monitors (CRMs): These electronic devices continuously measure radon levels over time. Depending on its calibration, a CRM can record a radon level every hour for 48 hours and then provides the average of those levels to determine your result. Our proprietary Radon Sentinel™ Radon Measurement System, a leading product in this category offered by Protect Environmental, provides active radon monitoring and detailed reporting, making it a preferred choice for both residential and commercial radon risk analysis.
Types of Radon Tests
Charcoal Test Kits
Long-Term Tests
Active Continuous Radon Monitor
How Do The Different Radon Tests Work?
Each type of radon test — whether a short-term kit, a long-term kit, or an active radon monitor — has its own way of detecting and measuring radon levels.
- Short-Term Test Kits: Activated charcoal canisters absorb radon gas, which is then analyzed in a laboratory to determine the radon concentration. Electret ion chambers and alpha track detectors also capture radon particles for lab analysis.
- Long-Term Test Kits: These function similarly to short-term kits but are designed to capture radon levels over a more extended period, providing a comprehensive average that accounts for fluctuations in radon concentration over changing weather and seasonality.
- Continuous Radon Monitors (CRMs): Devices like our Radon Sentinel™ Radon Measurement System use highly sensitive responders to measure radon levels by actively reading radon levels on a regular frequency during the testing event. Data is collected and stored electronically, providing faster turnaround to detailed reports. This method offers a more detailed representation of the radon levels in your home. Active radon monitoring is only conducted by certified radon testing professionals. Work with your home inspector or with our qualified Protect Professionals to conduct a CRM radon test for your home.
How Long Does It Take to Get the Results?
The time it takes to get radon test results depends on the type of test you use. Some tests provide results within a few days, making them ideal for initial screenings, while others take longer but offer a more detailed picture of radon levels over time.
- Short-Term Test Kits: Results are typically available within a week after the testing period ends (depending on shipping times) as the kit is mailed to a laboratory for analysis.
- Long-Term Test Kits: These require 90 days to a year for data collection, with results available shortly after the testing period depending on shipping times and lab analysis turnaround times.
- Continuous Radon Monitors (CRMs): Because radon test results are electronically recorded, reports with your test results can be provided within just a few days depending on your provider.
Which Type of Radon Testing Is Better to Use?
Each testing method has its advantages, so consider your situation and the level of detail you need when deciding which test is best for you. Please keep in mind, that the best radon test to use is any test! For your safety and peace of mind protection, it is better to test with any method than to not test at all.
- Short-Term Test Kits are ideal for initial screening and quick results.
- Long-Term Test Kits provide a more detailed average radon level as the sample is collected over an extended period, making them suitable for comprehensive assessments. Since radon levels can fluctuate with changing seasons, temperature, and weather, long-term tests help you understand a more full picture of the radon levels in your home.
- Continuous Radon Monitors (CRMs) provide electronic results within a short turnaround time and include a more detailed analysis with continuous active monitoring technology for a more detailed understanding of your radon risk.
What is a Safe Level of Radon?
The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon levels if the concentration is 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Because no radon level is considered completely safe, the EPA advises that homeowners aim to reduce radon levels as much as possible.
What Comes After Radon Testing?
If radon is detected in your home, taking steps to mitigate is crucial for ensuring a safe living environment. A licensed radon professional can assess your situation and recommend an appropriate solution tailored to your home’s needs.
Radon mitigation involves the process of ventilating radon gas out of your home. Depending on your home’s construction, radon is usually collected from beneath concrete slabs or membranes and then vented outside through a pipe system that extends from the ground up through or past the roofline. A fan, which can be installed in the attic or on the outside of the home, helps to draw radon gas out of the soil beneath the foundation and exhaust it safely into the outdoor air.
Many radon mitigation systems include alarms to alert you if the system stops functioning correctly, providing a critical check against any operational failures. We recommend having your existing mitigation system serviced and inspected each year by qualified professionals to ensure it continues to function as designed.
The installation of radon mitigation systems can often be completed within a day, though this timeframe may vary depending on factors such as the size and layout of your home and the type of foundation. After installation, be sure to have a follow-up radon test conducted to be sure the installed system is working to reduce radon in your home to the lowest possible level.
Schedule a Radon Test With Our Experienced Team
Radon testing is an essential step in ensuring a safe indoor environment at home.
Understanding the different types of radon tests available can help homeowners and building managers make informed decisions about ensuring the health and safety of the indoor air for their home or commercial building.
For more information on radon testing and professional radon services, explore our residential radon services and request service today!
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