How do I get a radon test kit? Are they free?
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Charcoal radon test kits are short-term options that work similarly to the alpha-track test kits, though they measure radon over a shorter period of time. The charcoal device absorbs radon gas over 2 to 90 days and is then sent to a lab for results. The products below are the best radon test kits to use in the home in their respective categories.
A mitigation system installed by our team of licensed and certified professionals is an effective way to keep your home safe from radon gas. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon comes from the breakdown of Uranium in the ground and can be found in elevated levels in any home or building. Elevated radon levels have been recorded in both old and newly constructed homes and buildings.
What are acceptable levels of radon?
Air in the home is cycled out less often, meaning more opportunity for radon to accumulate and stick around. Radon levels are almost always higher in the cold winter months due to changes in atmospheric pressure. Simply put, your home breathes in more air more quickly in the winter. Any risk of radon exposure is likely to be elevated in the colder season. Air in the home is cycled out less often, meaning more opportunity for radon to accumulate in higher concentrations. Regardless of what situation you find yourself in, if you are questioning whether you need a radon test, it is better to be sure that harmful levels of radon are not present than to not test.
But if you think that you might have been, talk with your doctor about whether you should get regular health checkups and tests to look for possible signs of lung cancer. Possible symptoms include shortness of breath , a new or worsening cough, pain or tightness in the chest, hoarseness, or trouble swallowing. Exposure to the combination of radon gas and cigarette smoke creates a greater risk for lung cancer than either factor alone. For many buyers, the thought of purchasing a home with increased cancer risk is enough to make them walk away… or significantly reduce their offer. And the last thing you want to worry about when selling your home is taking on the additional expense of radon testing and mitigation. Before buying, check out the answers to some of the most common questions people have about radon test kits below.
Other products we considered
Still, you will want a kit that is as straightforward and easy to use as possible. When it comes to reducing your cancer risk, one important step could be right under your nose, or your feet. Getting your home tested for radon can help protect you and your family from a key cause of lung cancer. You can’t see, smell, or hear radon, so the only way to know if it’s present in your home is by testing.
In the air, radon is unstable and breaks down into other products. We inhale and exhale radon gas but radon decay particles stay in the lungs. Over time, these particles can cause damage to cells, which can mutate and cause lung cancer. Do your research, and make sure you are working with the professionals to properly mitigate your radon gas exposure risk. Radon mitigation is an effective solution for reducing the radon levels in your home.
What does a radon test cost?
Professional testing includes examination of all potential causes of radon exposure, allowing companies to pinpoint the source. Depending on the test you purchased, you must leave it undisturbed for 48 to 96 hours. Check the product instructions for the exact testing time required. In Colorado, more than 500 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon each year, according to CDPHE. If sump pumps are installed after your mitigation system is installed and are not sealed correctly, the sensitive pressure functionality of your mitigation system could be compromised.
That radon gas can get trapped inside your home, and years of exposure to high levels of radon can cause cancer, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Jens Housley, Radon Product Manager forAprilAire, explains that if a DIY radon detector shows high radon levels, the next step is a certified tester. "We recommend that if a home test shows elevated levels, a professional should come in and do a more thorough test just to be 100% certain of the situation in the home," he says. Smoking combined with radon can greatly increase your risk for lung cancer. While drastic, spending less time in your house can minimize your risk, as can spending less time in the lower levels of your home.
The Corentium Home radon detector home kit by Airthings is one of the first continuous radon test kits to use batteries, making it completely independent from outlets. The device is portable and can be placed in any location you want to test. In contrast to passive devices, active devices need electrical power and include continuous monitoring devices . Active devices detect and record radon or its daughter products continuously. They are generally more expensive and require professionally trained testers for their operation. According to the EPA, one out of 15 homes have elevated levels of radon, which is a tasteless, odorless gas that can cause serious health consequences.
When you search for a radon home test kit, check to see if the lab fees are included; with many kits, they are not. Radon mitigation systems work by overpowering the natural vacuum under the home and providing an alternative route for radon. Sealing cracks in the foundation or around piping will not lower radon levels and mitigate the problem. Radon is odorless, tasteless and invisible and symptoms do not arise when a person has been exposed to radon.
If it does, your agent can work to negotiate the price down to cover radon mitigation costs. I would recommend Atlantic Real Estate Services for radon mitigation services. Tommy was very knowledgeable and spent time explaining his plan and process to me. I live in a townhouse and he took the extra time and effort to ensure the system was done well and in a fashion that is beneficial to the home owner.
Radon can be reduced by preventing its entry into the home or by removing it once it has entered the home. The general solution involves active ventilation either in the basement or below the slab of the home. Charcoal canister and charcoal liquid scintillation devices absorb radon or its products on to the charcoal. With a radon home test kit, you’ll want to keep all doors and windows closed for at least 12 hours beforehand and keep everything closed throughout testing. You can still open and close doors to enter/leave your home, but otherwise you’ll need to be conscientious about keeping everything closed.
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