How to Test
Your Home for Radon
Why
Are You Testing?
Real estate transactions: If you have decided to conduct a
radon home test as part of a real estate transaction, you may only
have time for a short-term radon test. Short-term radon
tests provide a measure of the radon level in your home only
during the brief test period. The US EPA guidelines for
radon tests of 2-7 days call for sealing the house by closing all
windows and using doors as little as possible. The US EPA
recommends running two short-term radon tests either side-by-side
or sequentially. Order
short-term radon test kits
Verifying
short-term radon results: Before spending money on a radon
mitigation system, conduct a long-term test. Radon levels
vary in daily and seasonal cycles and in response to weather
conditions and ventilation patterns. Short-term radon tests
may accurately report radon levels during the few days of their
test period, but still not properly represent the yearly average
radon level to which you are exposed. Order
long-term radon test kits
Long-term
accuracy: Long-term radon tests provide you with the most accurate
estimate of your health risk. By averaging daily and
seasonal radon fluctuations, testing for a full year will provide
the most complete picture of the average radon level in your home.
RSSI Alpha-track detectors can also provide excellent results in
14-90 day test periods. Homes do not need to be sealed for
alpha-track tests, as is required for short-term tests.
Radon
levels fluctuate widely in regions of the country that have Karst
geology: fractured limestone, caves or underground streams.
In a Karst
region or in a building over a mine, yearlong testing is
recommended to account for these fluctuations. If you have
further questions, contact your state
radon office.
Order
long-term test kits
Where
Should a Detector Be Placed?
Radon
levels vary considerably from location to location in the same
building. Radon frequently enters from the soil underneath
the basement or slab, and radon levels are usually highest in the
lowest level of the building.
The
US EPA uses the terms "lowest level ... suitable for
occupancy ... without renovations" in recommending a location
to test for radon. If you have a lowest level with a
bedroom, office or family room, you should set up your radon
detector in one of these rooms. If you rarely use the lowest
level in your home, you may wish to place an additional detector in a frequently used room on the next lowest level.
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. More detailed instructions are
included with each RSSI Alpha-track radon test kit.
Starting
Your Test
-
Read
the placement instructions for your radon detector and choose
a test location
-
Remove
the Alpha-track detector from its protective pouch
-
Write
the start date on the radon detector
-
If you plan to hang the detector, firmly slide the hook into the groove on the bottom of the detector
-
Leave
the radon detector in one place for the entire test period
-
Save
the information form and the return mailer box
Ending
Your Test
-
Write
the end date on the radon detector
-
Fill
out the information form
-
If
you lost your information form you can download
a copy
-
Be
sure to keep a record of your radon detector number
-
Do
NOT tape up the radon detector or put it in a bag or pouch
-
Place
the radon detector and the information form in the return
mailer box
-
If
you lost your mailer, use a padded envelope or small cardboard
box and mail it to the address on the detector
-
Be
sure the mailer or envelope is sealed
Getting
Your Results
-
Your
radon detector will be analyzed within five business days of
its arrival at the lab
-
Results
are available on-line by entering your detector number
-
A
written report will be mailed to you
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