What Is Radon?
December 6, 2023
Radon testing is an important step to ensure the safety of your home environment. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that, according to the United States EPA, is the second most frequent cause of lung cancer. Radon can increase in concentration in areas of low ventilation, such as houses, so testing your home is crucial.
Testing for radon is often required by the lender when buying a home and has become a regular part of real estate transactions. Current homeowners may also wish to test for radon to ensure safe levels within their home. Any building where people are spending 8+ hours per day, such as work places, schools, and apartment buildings, are also good candidates for radon testing, as long term exposure is what leads to the increased risk of lung cancer. Testing for radon can be quite simple, however the reason why you are testing for radon may dictate which radon test you should use.
Radon testing can be broken down into two categories, short-term testing and long term testing. While long term testing is more accurate of the average radon level, short term testing is more commonly used due to time constraints. In this article, we cover the most common types of short-term and long-term tests.
Types of Short Term-Test:
Types of Long-Term Tests:
Professional Radon Testing
Where To Buy Radon Tests
Types Of Short-Term Tests:
Activated Charcoal Radon Test:
An Activated charcoal canister is the most common type of short-term radon test. The canister is placed in your home for a few days and then it is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Activated charcoal canisters are relatively inexpensive and easy to use, but they may not provide an accurate picture of your home’s year-round radon levels.
Best use cases for Activated Charcoal Test:
- If you want to get a quick idea of whether or not you have a radon problem.
- If you are short on time or money.
Cons of Activated Charcoal Tests:
- Activated Charcoal Test are more likely influenced by weather fluctuations and may not reflect an accurate average level.
- Activated Charcoal Test may not be accepted by a bank during a real estate transaction.
Continuous Radon Monitor:
This type of test uses electronic sensors to measure radon levels in your home over a period of time. Continuous radon monitors are more expensive than activated charcoal canisters, but they provide the benefit of being able to use them more than once. You can move a continuous radon monitor to different locations, allowing you to search for radon hot spots and continuously monitor radon if you are concerned about the levels in your home.
Best use cases for Continuous Radon Monitors:
- If you want to continuously monitor radon levels instead of just testing once.
- If you are troubleshooting stubborn radon levels.
- If you want to test multiple different locations for radon.
Cons of Continuous Radon Monitors:
- Continuous Radon Monitors are expensive and may be cost prohibitive.
- Less accurate than long-term measurement
Types Of Long-Term Radon Tests:
Alpha-Track Detection
This type of test uses a small disc that is placed in your home for 3 months or more. The disc is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. Alpha track detectors are more expensive than short-term tests, but they can provide a more accurate picture of your home’s year-round radon levels.
Best use cases for Alpha-Track Detection:
- You want a cost effective, accurate test and are not in a hurry for test results.
Cons of Alpha-Track Detection:
- Alpha-Track Detection can take 3-6 months to receive results.
Long-Term Continuous Radon Monitor:
A long-term continuous radon monitor can monitor radon levels for 30 days or more. These can provide a more accurate picture of your radon levels by averaging seasonal fluctuations.
Best use cases for Long-Term Continuous Radon Monitors:
- If you want the most accurate radon levels throughout the year
Cons of Continuous Radon Monitors:
- Continuous Radon Monitors are expensive and may be cost prohibitive.
- Typically banks will not accept results from a continuous radon monitor due to the lack of official written report
Professional Radon Testing:
Professional Radon Testers are certified by the NRPP or NRSB to provide accurate radon testing. Certified radon testers can usually provide short-term and long-term tests using a variety of specialized equipment. Professional radon testing is typically the type of testing that will be required by the bank for a real estate transaction.
Best use cases for Professional Radon Testing:
- If you are buying/selling a home and a radon test is required by the bank.
- If you want to get the most accurate picture of your home’s radon levels possible.
Cons of Professional Radon Testing:
- Professional Radon Testing can be expensive.
- Professional Radon Testing requires the tester to come to your home to conduct the test.
Where To Buy Radon Test Kits
Radon test kits can be purchased from a variety of sources, including hardware stores, home improvement stores, and online retailers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also offers a list of certified radon test kit providers on their website: https://www.epa.gov/radon.
Discounted Radon Test Kits for Virginia Residents
The Virginia Department of Health offers activated charcoal radon test kits for Virginia homeowners for $3. These radon tests are limited to 2 per household and may not always be available, as supplies are limited. You can find more information about this program on the Virginia Department of Health Radon website: https://www.vdhradon.org/
Additional considerations:
- No matter which type of radon test you choose, it is important to follow the instructions carefully to ensure accurate results.
- Radon levels in a home fluctuate, especially during different seasons and weather events. Testing during different times of the year will produce varying results.
- Not all tests will be accepted by the bank during real estate transactions. If you are buying or selling a home, be sure to ask your realtor or lending authority what test they will accept before purchasing one.
How We Can Help:
If you are located in Virginia and are concerned about high radon levels in your home, contact us to discuss your options. We can provide radon testing suggestions and recommendations to local professionals in your area.
If your home has tested high for radon, contact us today about Radon Mitigation! 2020 Radon provides Radon Mitigation in Central Virginia, including Culpeper, Madison, Orange, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, and surrounding areas. We can bring your home’s radon level down to an acceptable range and help provide you peace of mind.
