How To Test Your Home For Radon ?

You should test your home for the presence of radon gas. Radon is a radioactive noble gas. You should not belive in generalized myths about radon. Under normal conditions, it can be easily inhaled since it is colorless and odorless. The level of radon gas differs from location to location and seasons as well.

Radon may occur and mount up in buildings, especially areas at low levels like basements and ground spaces. It is also found in groundwater and also in some the hot springs. Radon is considered a major air pollutant that is affecting air quality worldwide.

According to studies, the United States (especially LOWA and APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN AREAS) is the highest radon hazard and SOUTH KOREAN HOMES come 2 nd in the world. New homes in these areas have to pass radon-resistant construction requirements first.

And due to the colorless and odorless property of radon, it become a difficult task to detect it. Hence chemical tests are performed to determine its quantity in air and water. Efforts to reduce radon levels are called radon mitigation. In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency acclaims all houses to be radon tested.

How Radon Gas Testing Is Done?

Radon testing can be of two types:

1. Short-term radon testing And

2. Long-term radon testing

1. Short-Term Radon Testing

There are many low costs DIY radon test kits available at public retail stores. Short-term testing using kit is the most common method. Since most of the houses require this testing compulsorily, hence they perform tests using these kits. Radon testing kits measure radon levels for a period of two to seven days.

This method is used for quicker results. Short term charcoal radon testing kit is the most common. It remains for 3-7 days. These testing kits use a vessel that contains a quantity of granular activated charcoal. The charcoal absorbs the radon gas entering the container from the surrounding air.

At the end of the radon gas test period, the container is sealed and sent to the laboratory in the pre-paid mailer for analysis. But these kits are not recommended for areas like bathrooms, and laundry rooms as they get affected by high humidity.

Points to be kept in mind during the test:

• Before beginning the test, ensure that all the doors and windows are closed 12 hours prior.
• During the test, try to keep the doors and windows closed as much as possible
• Avoid testing during windy and stormy days
• Keep the kit in the rooms that are used regularly (like living room, playrooms) and sleeping areas (bedroom, restroom)
• Keep the kit in low-level areas like the basement
• Avoid keeping the kit at areas with high humidity and high heat (like bathrooms, kitchens, laundry room)
• Avoid disturbance around the kit during the tests.
•  Once the test ends, follow as instructed in the kit and send the test to the laboratory

A quick test followed by another test may help you to decide whether your house needs fixing or not. Environmental Protection Agency recommends fixing of the home if the radon levels are more than 4 pCi/L or higher.

2. Long-Term Radon Testing

Radon is entered in a building directly from the soil through the lowest levels, close to the ground. Increased radon levels in water may also affect radon present in the air.

Most common points in buildings from where radon enters are cracks in solid foundations, construction joints, cracks in walls, gaps in suspended floors, gaps around service pipes, cavities inside walls, and the water supply. Radon concentration may differ from time to time.

It may also differ from location to location. Thus, it is obvious that this gas is always is motion throughout the year and its concentration can never be the same at different times and locations. So, the results of the short-term testing kit cannot be considered in the final decision, as they are observations for three to seven days only.

Radon concentration keeps changing with time. It increases or decreases with the seasons and the surrounding conditions. Radon concentration is found to be higher during winters than in summers.

This is the reason why testing radon over time is obligatory. Such things are uncertain until its presence is being examined consistently.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon levels must be checked in every two years. As radon concentration changes within days, it may even fluctuate within years. So, if we get regular testing of radon concentration, we will get informed of any changes in the radon present in the air.

Thus, long term radon testing is recommended. Long-term testing kits are even humidity and heat resistant so they don’t get affected by any such areas. Make sure to wear a temporary radon detector while performing the test.

How To Reduce Radon At Your Home?

Regular testing of your home is the only way to determine exposure to high levels of radon. Methods of testing have been already discussed above.

Follow the instructions of the kit and send it to the laboratory to get the results. If the radon concentrations are greater than mentioned above (>= 4 pic/L) then follow the guidelines below for radon reduction.

There are many methods for radon reduction. First, hire a contractor. They are professionals who will get a few tests done and based upon them they decide which is the best possible way to get radon concentrations reduced. Some techniques prevent radon entry in-home while others help in radon reduction.

Some of these techniques are:

• SOIL SUCTION: It prevents radon entry by drawing the radon from ground below the home to the air above the home. There it is attenuated.
• SEALING: Seals the cracks in the home, soil, and basement limits the flow of radon into your home.
• ROOM PRESSURIZATION: It creates enough pressure to keep radon out but it is not much effective.
• HEAT RECOVERY VENTILATION: A heat recovery ventilator is installed to increase ventilation. They are very effective when used for basements. They improve indoor air quality and reduce air pollutants.

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