Are Home Radon Test Kits Accurate?

What is Radon?

Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in our environment and is found around the world. When radioactive metals such as uranium, thorium, and radium start to break down in soil, rocks, or groundwater radon gas is released. This gas is odorless, tasteless, and invisible and therefore extremely hard to detect on its own. Radon is the second-largest leading cause of lung cancer in people who do not smoke in the United States. Radon gas poses a great health risk to people in homes, office buildings, and any facility where people gather.

The EPA has established guidelines to assist in determining the overall health risk of radon. Often many places in your home can be exposed to radon gas due to the breaking down of the soil beneath the house and surrounding land area. The gas seeps in through cracks in the foundation, drains, or sumps. The longer people are exposed to radon over time, the more severe symptoms or illness may be. Finding areas with large concentrations of radon gas is essential to keeping indoor air safe for all individuals. Testing your home for radon is the only effective way to determine if you and your family are being exposed to high levels of radon.

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How are home radon test kits accurate?

Because radon gas is odorless, tasteless, and invisible, the only way to know how much radon gas is prevalent in a living space is to conduct a test. Home radon test kits are able to detect even the smallest amount of gas in the air. Testing your home for radon is essential for safety and a peace of mind. It is recommended that a test be performed in the lowest lived-in area because this is where the highest concentration of radon gas is usually found. However, radon is not limited to basements. It is possible to detect radon gas in other parts of a building or home. Testing for radon in multiple rooms or offices will get the best result for your entire home or commercial office building.

When are home radon test kits accurate?

The most accurate home radon test results are achieved when they are used in multiple rooms and levels of the home. At least one detector should be used for every 2,000 uninterrupted square feet. It is also recommended to test any room in the home where people spend more than 4-6 hours per day such as bedrooms, home offices, and living areas. It is not recommended that a home radon detector be placed in a bathroom or kitchen. Home radon tests are easy to use and will have the most reliable reading when used properly.

Easy to use

For the most accurate results, determine which rooms should be tested. Installing the detector is as simple as removing it from the airtight packaging and placing it in each room you plan to test. Make sure the kit is off the floor and away from vents, windows, or walls. Keep doors open so there is good air flow around the test kit. The longer the test, the more accurate the reading will be as it will be able to capture spikes in radon gas over a consistent period of time. Multiple radon detectors can be placed throughout your home to help you identify problem areas. For the most accurate results, the EPA states that radon tests should be conducted in a home at least every 2 years or every year if you have a radon mitigation system.

Home radon test kits vs professional radon test kits

The safety of your home and family are a priority. Choosing between radon home test kits or hiring a professional can be tough. Hiring a professional can take weeks or even months to schedule, in addition to the expense that you may incur. Consider also not all professionals are the same. They may not have the same high-level standard of accreditation and training. A radon testing professional should be an NRPP, NRSB, and/or state-listed radon testing contractor. You want a company you can trust that puts your family first and has the proper credentials.

Radonova is the global leader in radon measurement. Our tests arrive quickly to your home and are extremely easy to use. You can purchase multiple kits at once for multiple rooms in your home. A short-term radon screen such as QuickScreen can be completed in only 2-4 days. Radonova provides short-term highly accurate test kits such as Rapidos if you need to test in as little as 10 days. If you have more time available for testing then a long-term testing kit, such as Radtrak³, would be a great fit. Long term tests are also based around alpha track technology using CR-39 chips that capture "tracks" made by radon decay particles. These no-hassle kits will provide you with a quick turnaround time on the results.

Where do I start?

Using home radon gas test kits are the only way to know. You should not have to wait to keep your family safe. Radonova offers several do-it-yourself test kits that are both accurate and reliable. When properly used, you will be able to learn how much radon is in your home. Choose from our highly rated selection of radon test kits that fit the needs of your home and timeframe best. Any area of your home that your family uses on a regular basis should have their own dedicated radon detector. After testing your home, we provide quick and efficient results. Once you’ve received your report, we will help you decide the best approach using our easy to navigate Resources page and, if needed, to mitigate radon gas in your home. When it comes to the safety of our customers, we make quality our highest priority. You can be sure that our products perform measurements for radon gas of the highest quality.