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.

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.