Though radon can’t be seen, smelled or touched, it is not difficult to find out if radon is a problem in your home. All you have to do is have your home tested for radon. there are two types of radon tests: a short-term & a long-term test. All radon testing, whether short- or long-term, measures the levels of radon in the air. The results are measured in what are called picocuries per liter of air. This is often abbreviated to pCi/L.
There are radon tests that fit everyone’s budgets. There are low cost “do-it-yourself” radon test kits, which can be found at hardware stores & through your county’s health department. You can also employ a professional radon tester. These professionals are licensed through the state & are required to be in good standing in order to maintain their licenses.
Short-Term Radon Testing
When you need fast results, short-term radon testing is the best option. The short-term test remains in your home anywhere from 2 days to 90 days. There are a variety of short-term radon tests available. Because your radon levels vary from day to day, as well as season to season, a short-term radon test is less likely to be able to tell you what your year-round averages are.
Long-Term Radon Testing
All long-term radon tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. There are also different types of long-term tests. The benefits of long-term radon testing is that you will get a better idea of what your home’s year-round average radon level is. This may help you make a confident decision about installing a radon mitigation system.
No matter what type of test you choose, if you results come back at 4 pCi/L or higher, you should strongly consider having a radon mitigation system installed. These radon reduction systems reduce the levels of radon in your home below 2 pCi/L, and in some cases, much lower. The EPA recommends taking a short-term test first. If the results do come back high, the test should be followed up with a long-term radon test. If you are limited on time, two short-term radon tests done back to back will also work.
When was the last time your home was tested for radon? Which test did you do?
