You might have heard of radon.  It is a radioactive, naturally occurring invisible gas that is present in every home in U.S.  You cannot taste it neither can you smell it.  It is said to be the number one source of lung cancer for non-smokers.  It is said to cause more than 20,000 deaths per year.  You could get statistics on the existence of this gas because many homes in the U.S. have unsafe levels of radon.

It is recommended that you test your home and working environment for this gas.  Testing for the gas is good as detection of present levels in your home allows for you to make an educated decision to fix the problem or not.  There are various Radon Testing Devices available and can be ordered from the safety of your home.

You can actively test for radon in your home using electronic radon detector.  It is believed that electronic radon detectors are more accurate than passive radon detectors e.g. charcoal testers.  There are various electronic radon detectors in the market.

Most electronic radon detectors give you hourly readings but a few give you an average of a seven day period on demand.  The particular electronic radon detector you use and its effectiveness depends on your area of usage and following instructions carefully.

Pro-Series 3 monitor is an electronic detector that you can use over and over again in different locations.  This monitor gives fast, accurate and continuous radon levels readings wherever it is placed.  It activates 48 hours after plug in.  It does not have hourly sensitivity to measure radon levels but it provides you, over a seven day period; the average radon levels.

You can use this kit for both short term radon testing and long term as well.  It plugs into a wall plug and just like that you can read/see the levels of radon gas in your home anytime you wish.  It is easy to use and can be carried around.  This kit shows the gas levels in Pico curies.  No need to be electronics’ savvy to use it.  You do not need to assemble it after purchase.  You can delete the data and the unit used at a different location to measure for you radon levels in this new location in case you move.

There are also electronic radon detectors for professional usage e.g. the Radstar RS300 Continuous Radon gas monitor & detector.  You could simply hire a Radon Testing professional to help you gauge the levels of the gas in your home.  This monitor is excellent for the professional and home inspector’s use as it gives a written report to you the home owner.  This device cannot be tampered with. It also has sensors for motion to ensure spot on results.  It connects to a home computer or laptop via USB cable.

Electronic radon detectors have an advantage because they help you save on costs of test kits (various), lab fees and postage charges.  This is good for you as sometimes extra expenses are incurred when you need to send kits to the lab and they are delayed.  The kits are rendered invalid.

Radon is a carcinogen and is said to probably be the leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.  Have you ever tested your home for radon? If so what next?  There is need to vent your home and reduce radon levels.  Are you aware that there are guides on how to do this?  Or that there are professionals who could assist you in case you are unsure of what to do next?

You cannot see or smell radon therefore you need special equipment to detect it.  Radon testing devices that are considered passive include; charcoal canister, charcoal liquid scintillation devices, and alpha-track detectors.  These don’t need power to function.  Continuous radon monitors and continuous working level monitors are active radon testing devices that use power.  They provide you with hourly readings as well as the average result for the period of testing.

Once you have confirmed that your house does indeed have radon and in harmful levels then you need to ventilate to reduce or get rid of the radon.  There are different methods for venting radon gas that you can apply for your specific type of house structure and areas in your home.  Some techniques actually prevent radon entry while other techniques reduce radon levels after entry.  EPA recommends the techniques that prevent radon entry e.g. soil suction.  Your type of house affects the radon reduction technique that works best.

Radon reduction techniques can be categorized by the design of the foundation.  In basement and slab-on-grade foundations; you can reduce radon by soil suction through the sub slab, drain tile, sump hole or block wall suction.

In crawlspace houses, you could cover the dirt floor with a plastic sheet of high density. Then use a fan and vent pipe to draw radon from under that sheet and then vent it out.  This method also known as sub-membrane suction is the best method for crawlspace houses.  Yet another method is depressurization whereby you draw air directly out of the crawlspace using a good fan.  You could also ventilate a crawlspace house passively by opening vents and or installing more vents. There are other radon reducing techniques that you could use including; heat recovery ventilation and natural ventilation.

Heat recovery ventilator, will increase ventilation and help to reduce the levels of radon in your home.  It introduces outdoor air and uses the heated or cooled air exhausted to cool or to warm incoming air.  This ventilator can be used to ventilate part or all of your home.  It is however most effective when used to ventilate basements only.  When there are other indoor pollutants, heat recovery ventilator can be used to improve air quality in the house.

Natural ventilation normally occurs in every house.  When you open vents, doors, and windows on the lower floors of your home; ventilation in the house is increased.  This increased ventilation mixes the indoor and outdoor air full of radon thus resulting in radon reduction.  You should note however, that once you close up the openings; radon concentrations almost always return to their previous levels within 12 hours.  This, therefore, should only be regarded as a radon reduction approach that is temporary.

There are other radon reducing techniques that you could use in any type of housing.  They include: sealing and house/room pressurization.  Much as there are a number of radon venting options; you are advised to use the best venting method for your design of house that will get rid of radon in your home.

Radon detectors are used to measure the amount of radon in a home. The device is sold for use in the home setting, but can also be used in commercial buildings. The air is tested by the device for levels of radon, which are displayed on the screen or measured by a lab after the test is sent away. The radon detector is an inexpensive way to improve the air quality of the home.

The radioactive gas, Radon, is released when uranium decays. Uranium is found naturally in water supplies and rock formations. Just like carbon monoxide, the radon gas is odorless and tasteless, so it cannot be detected without the use of a radon detector.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is harmful to human health. When the gas is breathed into the lungs, it is thought to have a carcinogenic effect. This means the gas can cause cancer. Most cases of cancer related to radon exposure involve the lungs. More than 1000 people die each year due to exposure to radon gas.

Radon gas is not considered safe at any level, but the gas is naturally occurring so the radon detector is needed to ensure the levels are within accepted levels. The air breathed every day contains about 0.4 picocuries per liter. The radon detector is used inside of buildings because the gas may have no way to escape which can cause a buildup to unsafe levels over time.

Radon can be detected using a short term or long-term test. The short-term test is placed in a building for less than 90 days. This test is then sent off to a laboratory for evaluation. Most short terms tests do not employ the use of readouts screens to report radon levels. These kits are created for lab use only.

The long-term radon detector is left in the home or building for longer than 90 days. It is advised to begin radon detection with a short-term test and then install a long-term test if there are no signs of harmful radon levels in the building. Many long-term radon tests use a screen to report the radon levels in the building. These tests may also have an installed alarm that will sound if the radon levels reach higher than approved levels.

Radon can be removed from the home with kits installed to clean the air. These kits should be installed by a professional team to ensure the kit is working properly in the home to reduce the radon gas levels. Cracks in the foundation of the home can also be corrected to keep radon gas from the ground from seeping into the basement and eventually to the upper levels of the home.

The radon system is installed in a home or building after a positive radon test has been recorded. Any levels of radon over the approved 0.4 picocuries per liter is considered harmful to human health. If a home or building measures higher, a kit will be installed to clean the air and return it to the building with a lower level of radon.

Radon systems come in two forms, the passive radon system, and the active radon system. The active radon system is most often used after the passive system has been unable to reduce the levels of the gas in the building. Some radon systems can be installed in the home or building during construction to reduce the cost of radon removal.

Passive radon systems use the natural radon collection process to remove the gas from the home. Most often, radon enters the home through cracks in the foundation. These cracks allow the harmful gas to seep into the basement or crawl space and collect. These gases then permeate to the upper levels of the home. The passive system employs a metal pipe that runs from the collection point through the roof. The gas naturally moves through the pipe and out into the air.

The active radon system uses a fan to improve the movement of the gas. The fan creates negative pressure in the collection space, which gives the radon gas only one place to escape, through the pipe. The active system is more effective than the passive system and may be used as a first choice in homes and buildings with very high levels of radon.

If a home is currently under construction in an area where radon gas has been detected, many construction companies will installed the pipe from the lower level of the home through the roof to eliminate the chance of radon gas collection. This will reduce the cost of installation dramatically.

In older homes, the pipe may need to be installed with the cost of installation varying based upon the type of home construction and the time spent installing the pipe. Whenever possible, the home should regularly test for radon because the gas naturally fluctuates during different times of year and with environmental changes.

While radon systems can remove nearly all of the radon in the air, a radon detector should remain in the space at all times. Most often, the long-term radon detector will be used due to the presence of radon already being established. The long term detectors can be used for more than 90 days at a time and often use a readout screen to report the current radon levels in the air. A radon detector should be installed on all levels of the home or building.

There are two main types of radon tests used to measure the amount of radon in a commercial building or home. These are the passive and active radon tests. These tests collect the air in a given area and either report the amount of radon detected or hold that information for a lab to determine.

The passive radon tests are used in a space between 2 and 90 days. These tests require no electricity to run and can be used on every level of the building. The EPA suggests at least one test be placed on the lowest level of the building. The kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, and hallway should not be used as the air source. Most passive tests will take between 48 and 96 hours to complete.

Passive radon tests employ the use of charcoal canisters, charcoal liquid or alpha-track detectors to measure the radon levels. The levels are collected and when the unit is finished tracking the air quality, it is sent off to a lab where the radon levels are reported. The lab report is then sent to the appropriate party.

The active radon tests works in a slightly different manner. This unit requires electricity to run. Continuous monitoring of the air in a commercial building or home allows the radon level spikes and dips to be recorded more successfully. These units can be used by the owner of the building, but are most often used by professionals testing for radon gas in the home.

When using radon tests, the homeowner or building owner should follow a few simple tips to ensure the readouts are accurate.

* All windows and doors should be kept shut while the air quality is being tested.

* Radon tests need to be located a minimum of 20 inches from the floor.

* Short term radon tests do not accurately measure radon levels during high humidity, stormy or windy conditions.

* Before the radon tests are installed, the windows and doors should be left closed for at least 12 hours.

* If radon gas is thought to be in the space, people should not use the space until the tests are complete.

Radon tests are a quick and effective way to measure the radon gas in a given space. Radon is an odorless gas that is thought to cause cancer. A non-smoker who is regularly breathing even the lowest levels of radon may have a higher chance of contracting lung cancer than someone who is not around radon gas.

If higher than normal levels of radon are detected with the radon tests, there are effective removal systems that can be installed within the home or commercial building. These removal systems employ the use of pipes running from the source of the radon to the roof to move the gas out of the space before it can concentrate to higher than healthy levels.

A radon mitigation system is used to remove radon gas from an enclosed building. These systems can use either a passive or active approach to moving the radon gas out of the space and back into the open air.

Radon gas is a natural gas that is produced when uranium decays. The gas can be found in soil, rock, and water. When a home or building is placed on a foundation, the foundation is in direct contact with the source of radon gas. Over time and with environmental changes, the radon gas could collect in the lower level of the building and move upward through open spaces into the area of the home or building used most often.

Radon is always present in the air, but levels higher than 0.4 picocuries per liter of air are considered carcinogenic. This means the gas, when breathed regularly at higher levels, can cause cancer as reported by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Once a radon test has established the presence of radon gas in a home or building, the radon mitigation system will need to be installed to remove that gas. Depending on the levels of radon or the previous attempts at radon removal, a passive or active radon mitigation system could be chosen.

The passive radon mitigation system uses a pipe running from the lowest level of the building through the walls and out through the roof. This pipe collects the radon gas and allows it to naturally move into open air at the top of the building. Passive systems are often used as a first line of radon gas treatment or when levels of radon gas are relatively low. Some new constructions install passive radon mitigation systems even if the building is not in an area where radon gas is a problem.

The active radon mitigation system is more effective than the passive system. A fan is placed in the lowest level of the building. This fan causes a vacuum effect in the space that forces all of the air to move through the installed pipe. The radon is often completely removed with an active mitigation system.

Many radon mitigation systems will work hand in hand with sealing or soil treatment on the home or business. The sealing does not work alone to obstruct the radon gas from entering the building, but can block some of the gas from entering the space. The sealing simply refers to patching any cracks in the foundation or basement of the building where radon gas could be seeping in.

The soil around the building may also be holding on to radon gas. Mitigation systems often include soil treatment, which draws the radon out of the soil. The soil system is used as part of a complete radon treatment plan that includes the sealing and pipe installation.

Radon kits are used to measure the amount of radon in the home or business. These kits are installed on the lowest level of the building where the radon is seeping into the space. Most radon comes from the soil or rock below a building entering into the air through cracks in the foundation. The radon kits can test short-term radon levels or long-term radon levels.

The short-term radon kits are used for less than 90 days in a space. These kits use no power and need to be sent to a lab for a final radon readout. This readout is then sent back to the person who ran the test. The long-term kits are installed for longer than 90 days and often use a digital readout powered by electricity to constantly measure the radon levels in a given space.

When measuring radon with radon kits, the air movement from outside needs to be limited to ensure an accurate reading. For this reason, all air exchange units need to be turned off during the test. This does not include air conditioning units that recirculate the air within a given space.

Other important tips to ensure an accurate reading include minimizing the opening of doors and windows and keeping the doors and windows shut for at least 12 hours before the start of the test, especially for the short term test. The radon kits need to be installed in a space in the home that is used regularly. If that space is the basement, the unit should be placed there. If the basement is not regularly used, the first floor of the building is the optimal place for the radon kits.

The radon kits need to be kept at least 20 inches from the floor. This ensures an accurate reading for breathable air and keeps the unit safe from damage during the testing period. The package instructions for the kit will tell the use how long the test needs to stay in place before the reading is complete for a short-term radon test.

The long-term radon kits are often left for more than 90 days. These units need to be installed in the same way as the short-term units, but employ the use of electricity and constant monitoring to measure spikes and dips in radon levels.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are three steps to radon detection using radon kits.

Step 1: Use a short-term test in the space to measure any immediate danger.

Step 2: If the short-term test measures radon levels at 4 or above, a long-term test or a second short term test should be used to verify the results.

Step 3: If radon levels are consistently above 4 on the test readout, correction measures should be taken to reduce the amount of radon.

Radon can enter the home through soil or water. While soil is the most imminent danger, the water seeping into the home during times of stormy weather can also increase the levels of radon. It is important to use radon kits on a regular basis even after steps have been taken to resolve the higher radon levels in the home. These radon kits will ensure no spikes in radon are continuing after the radon mitigation systems are installed and working.

Radon test kits are used to measure the level of radon in the air of a home or business. Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that can cause an increased risk of cancer when levels are higher than acceptable for any length of time. While every building should be tested for radon levels, those built in areas with noted radon problems should run both a short term and long term radon test kit in the home to rule out any problems.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mapped the United States of America for potential radon levels. This map includes Zones 1, 2 and 3. Zone 1 includes the area with the highest potential for radon problems. These areas are most often located in the northwest, Midwest and northeastern United States.

Zone 2 is reserved for areas with less threat than Zone 1, but a measureable radon threat none the less. Zone 2 is scattered through the US with heavier areas in the southwestern United States.

Zone 3 poses the least danger for radon gas in the home or business. Areas noted as Zone 3 should still be tested for radon as a prevention tactic, but should test lower than the accepted levels in most cases. The highest concentration of Zone 3 areas is in the southeastern US.

Radon test kits work with either short or long-term time lines. The short radon test kit can take as little as 48 hours to measure the radon levels in the air. These kits are sent off to a lab for radon measurement after the test is complete. Long-term tests use fans and electricity to monitor radon levels on a regular basis and can be installed in a space for more than 90 days at a given time.

The short-term radon test kits are to be used in conjunction with the long-term tests. Most often, the short-term test will be used first to rule out any immediate dangers to the people using the space. If the short-term test measures high levels of radon in the air, mitigation or removal process should be started as soon as possible. Many people choose to run a second short term radon test kit in the home or a long-term test in order to verify the levels measured with test one.

Radon levels higher than 4 in the home are considered very dangerous to humans. Radon can cause cancer, commonly lung cancer, in people who breathe the air laced with radon. This naturally occurring gas enters the home or business without the knowledge of those inside. There is nothing that can be done to prevent all radon in the air, but keeping the air levels to a minimum can be accomplished with mitigation kits installed after the positive radon test kits are completed.

Radon, a colorless and odorless gas found in the air, can concentrate in the home or business without the knowledge of those inside. The gas seeps into the space through cracks in the foundation and collects in the lowest levels of a building. The gas then moves through the home or business via air conditioning systems and natural air movement. When levels reach above a 2, the human body will be more susceptible to cancer, including lung cancer.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, there are levels of radon in every space at any given time. The most common source of this radon is the soil on which the foundation of the building is sitting. Uranium rock decays and emits radon into the soil. Over time, this radon gas moves up through the layers of soil and then passes into a crawl space or basement through cracks. These cracks do not have to be large as the gas does not need much space to move.

Radon can also be found in the water supplies of the home and business. Private wells and public water systems that use groundwater are most susceptible to high radon levels. While ingesting radon-laced water can increase the chance of stomach cancer, the highest threat comes when the water is used and the radon gas is emitted into the air. Radon can be removed was water systems using point of entry filtering.

The effects of safe radon levels on the body are still harmful, but often cannot be avoided. Smokers tend to have higher risks of lung cancer associated with even the smallest amounts of radon in the air. At a level of 0.4, three smokers out of every 1,000 smokers could get lung cancer linked to the radon levels.

The safe levels of radon are below 2 picocuries per liter. Any levels of radon below 2 are very difficult to correct in the home, but this does not mean a threat is not present due to the “safe” levels.

Smokers and Radon Levels

At 0.4 picocuries per liter, three out of every 1,000 smokers could contract lung cancer. The level 0.4 is the normal level of radon measured in outside air. When those levels are raised to 1.3 picocuries per liter, 20 smokers out of every 1,000 could contract lung cancer. This level is the common, and safe, level measured in most homes.

Non-smokers have a lesser chance of contracting lung cancer from safe radon levels. At 1.3 picocuries per liter, only 2 non-smokers per 1,000 are at increased risk of having lung cancer. This is more than 15 times lower than that of a smoker.

Radon is present in every home and every open space. The safe radon levels are those we are forced to live with because they cannot be removed successfully from the atmosphere. People who smoke have no safe radon levels. Even the smallest amount of radon in the air can increase the chances of contracting lung cancer.

Radioactive gasses typically enter a home through cracks in the basement and walls. Because of this, you will want to test these types of areas in your home with a digital radon detector first before progressing throughout a structure. If you find that the results from your first testing areas are negative or very minimal, further testing may not be required.

Radioactive gasses are created due to the decay of uranium in the soil. This makes it very easy for these types of gasses to enter basements and lower levels of homes and offices or even the surrounding environment such as spring waters. For some people around the world, digital radon testing is essential for their health.

Depending on the circumstances, you can purchase a short-term digital radon detector for your home to test only for a few days if so needed. During the testing period, the radon detector will have to be in an enclosed space for the duration of the specified time in order to retrieve accurate results. After testing has been complete, you can make use of specialized ventilation systems in order to help clear your area of any radioactive gasses while waiting for the results.

You should not try to use a radon detector during windy periods or during storms as the high winds or changes in air pressure can have a direct effect on the results that you see from your radon detector. Be sure to check the enclosed instructions on your radon detector for any special instructions such as leaving doors and windows closed for a minimum of 12 hours before testing.

Digital radon detector testing is more common in many real estate business practices today. Even in areas where radioactive gasses are not normally present, it can be a good selling point to prospective buyers that a seller has taken the time to perform extensive testing on the unit for the health and safety of any future owners. Digital radon detector testing does not have to be expensive or time consuming and can be completed relatively hassle-free.

For those who need continuous monitoring, there are many digital radon detectors that can be purchased for this reason. Simple displays and no hassles to install or set up, many digital radon detectors can be left on a table top or counter to monitor the radon levels in your home each day with ease.

Be sure to examine all of your options when choosing a digital radon detector for your home or office. Whether it is for initial testing or continuous monitoring, a digital radon detector can give you the peace of mind you are looking for when it comes to your health or the well being of your family or workplace.