Testing for Radon

Testing is the only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels. Radon is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, so it cannot be detected by human senses. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon.

There are two main types of radon tests:

• Short-term tests: These remain in your home for 2 to 90 days. Charcoal canisters, alpha track, electret ion chamber, continuous monitors, and charcoal liquid scintillation detectors are most commonly used for short-term testing.
• Long-term tests: These remain in your home for more than 90 days. Alpha track and electret detectors are commonly used for long-term testing. Long-term tests give a better indication of your year-round average radon level.

If your result is 4 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends fixing your home. Even if your result is below 4 pCi/L, you may want to test again sometime in the future.

Professional radon testers can provide the most accurate results and help you interpret your test results. Contact a qualified radon professional if you need assistance with testing or mitigation.