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Radon Testing

Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes. This is more than for other causes of death such as drunk driving, falls in homes, drownings and home fires. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.

Radon can not be seen, smelled or tasted. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung cancer would usually occur years (5-25) after exposure.

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon. The amount of radon in the air is measured in "picoCuries per liter of air," or "pCi/L." The action level recommended by the U,S. EPA for radon mitigation is 4pCi/L. 

Radon in Air

Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation or floor slab. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. Sometimes radon enters the home through well water.  Radon can be found all over the U.S. and nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated radon levels.

Radon in Water

Radon gas can enter the home through well water. It can be released into the air you breathe when water is used for showering, washing dishes and other household uses. Research suggests that swallowing water with high radon levels may pose risks, although risks from swallowing water containing radon are believed to be much lower than those from breathing air containing radon.

Not all drinking water contains radon. If your drinking water comes from a surface water source, such as a river, lake, or reservoir, most radon that might be in the water will be released into the air before reaching your water supplier or home. Radon is primarily a concern if your drinking water comes from underground sources, such as a well that pumps water from an aquifer.

There is currently no federally-enforced drinking water standard for radon. EPA is proposing to require community water suppliers to provide water with radon levels no higher than 4,000 pCi/L. According to the EPA, each 1,000 pCi/L of radon in water contributes about 0.1 pCi/L of radon to the air in your home.

Radon in Soil

Test kits are available for testing the soil for radon. These kits use a hooded enclosure above the soil to trap escaping radon gas from the soil and expose the gas to the test kit. These soil test kits are poor predictors of radon levels that would be present if a home was built at the site where the test occurred. Comparisons done on testing radon in soil and then retesting radon in the home built at the same location, show a low correlation between the two radon levels. This is primarily due to the fact there are so many variables that effect radon levels in a home such as construction details, home design and building materials. Because radon soil testing is such a poor predictor of future indoor radon levels, Healthgoods does not sell these test kits.

Continuous Radon Gas Monitoring

This is a convenient way to get constant information on your Radon levels and exposure over time. The detector is plugged in at a suitable area and Radon levels are monitored immediately and displayed within 48 hours. A continuous monitor allows you to spot check various areas around your home and also perform monitoring in several buildings without the costs of repeated single use tests. A great feature of the Safety Siren detector is that it displays both short term and long term radon levels and alarms you when excessive Radon levels are present. This is important as Radon levels can fluctuate in the home with weather and seasonal variability.

Safety Siren Pro Series 3 Radon Gas Monitor l more info
	Evaluated and approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency. Exceeds EPA recommended accuracy performance criteria. Specifically designed to allow the homeowner to monitor the radon level in their home with an easy to read display. Suitable for professional use as well. Easily plugs into any standard 110-120v AC electrical outlet and consumes only 6.5 watts. Numeric LED display range of 0.0 to 999.9 shows the level of radon gas in pCi/L on a short-term or long-term basis. Air sampling begins immediately with an initial reading in 48 hours. Short-term readings display the average radon levels over the past 7 days. Long-term readings display the average radon levels since powered-up or last reset with a maximum reading time of 5 years. Audible alarm sounds 4 short chirps if the long-term average reaches 4 pCi/L or greater or the short-term measurement stays above 4 pCi/L for 30 consecutive days. Alarm is repeated every hour or until the long term reading drops below 4. Alarm can be muted by user. Samples air continuously with the Radon level display updated every hour. A self-test is conducted every 24 hours with an error code displayed if there is a failure. Menu button controls 4 functions: Switch between short and long term display, conduct a manual test, mute or reactivate the audible alarm, clear and reset the memory for new readings. 10’ power cord allows user to locate detector away from walls, windows and doors. One year warranty. Dimensions: 4.7" x 3.1" x 2.1". ETL Certified to UL and CSA standards. Weight 12 ounces. Made in the USA.
Pro Series 3 Radon Gas Monitor Price: $119.95 Quantity:

Single Use Radon Tests

Single use radon tests are less expensive than a continuous radon monitor and provide a snapshot in time of your Radon level. These tests are available in short and long term tests as well as for water and require a tested sample to be sent to a registered lab for analysis. These kits provide a one time check of radon levels and may be suitable for initial screening of indoor spaces and water supply.

AccuStar Short Term Radon Test l more info
	Easy testing - simply unscrew the cap to the canister and expose to the air for 2-4 days, replace the cap and send to the lab. Uses the Liquid Scintillation method for analysis and accurate results. Professional and easy to use test is superior to flimsy envelope type radon tests that can be confusing to use, impacted by handling and be damaged in shipping. Complete testing instructions and information reporting sheet. Test results available 24 hrs. a day online and via automated phone the next business day afternoon after the lab receives the sample. Test results also mailed out the next business day after receiving the sample. Price includes laboratory analysis. First Class U.S. postage prepaid return packaging. No return shipping costs to the lab. AccuStar is a certified National Radon Proficiency Program laboratory registered with the National Environmental Health Association and is registered with every US state that requires registration for Radon testing. Available as a single test kit or double test kit.
AccuStar Short Term Radon Test Price: $19.95 - single test kit Price: $35.95 - double test kit Short Term Radon Test KitDouble Short Term Radon Test Kit Quantity:
AccuStar Long Term Radon Test l more info
	Easy testing - simply remove testing device from sealed pouch and expose to the air for 3 months to 1 year. Place completed test device in shipping pouch and mail to the lab. AccuStar Labs remains the only laboratory in the United States to use electrochemical etching to process its alpha track foils which are subsequently counted with computer-aided image analysis equipment. This kind of system was found superior to chemically etched alpha track radon detectors. Complete testing instructions and information reporting sheet. Test results available 24 hrs. a day online and via automated phone the next business day afternoon after the lab receives the sample. Test results also mailed out the next business day after receiving the sample. Price includes laboratory analysis. First Class U.S. postage prepaid return packaging. No return shipping costs to the lab. AccuStar is a certified National Radon Proficiency Program laboratory registered with the National Environmental Health Association and is registered with every US state that requires registration for Radon testing.
AccuStar Long Term Radon Test Price: $22.95 Quantity:
AccuStar Radon in Water Test l more info
	Easy testing - simply fill a glass vial with tap water and send to the lab. Uses the Liquid Scintillation method for analysis and accurate results. Complete testing instructions and information reporting sheet. Test results available 24 hrs. a day online and via automated phone the next business day afternoon after the lab receives the sample. Test results also mailed out the next business day after receiving the sample. Price includes laboratory analysis. First Class U.S. postage prepaid return packaging. No return shipping costs to the lab. AccuStar is a certified National Radon Proficiency Program laboratory registered with the National Environmental Health Association and is registered with every US state that requires registration for Radon testing.
AccuStar Radon in Water Test Price: $27.95 Quantity: