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Radon Test Devices

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the United States suffers an average of 20,000 radon-related lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is generated through the decay of uranium, a natural element found in soil and water. What makes radon so dangerous to people is that it's an odorless, tasteless and invisible gas. These characteristics make it nearly impossible to detect without the use of a specialized device. Many different types of radon testing devices are available, and most can be purchased at a hardware store or on the Internet.

  1. Activated Charcoal Absorption

    • The activated charcoal absorption test is a passive radon testing device, meaning that it does not require power to operate. In addition to the activated charcoal kit, you'll need an airtight container in which to send the sample for lab analysis. When left in the testing area, the activated charcoal will absorb any radon in the air. When the testing is complete, generally after two to seven days, simply seal the charcoal in an airtight container and send it to a laboratory.

    Alpha Track Detector

    • This device is comprised of a piece of plastic fit inside a small container. The air being tested seeps through a filter that has been placed over a hole in the container. Any radon particles detected will leave a track on the filter. Like the activated charcoal, the alpha track detector is a passive device, but it takes several months to accumulate an accurate reading. The sample must be sent to a laboratory for analysis once testing is completed.

    Continuous Radon Monitoring

    • A continuous radon monitoring detector is considered an active device, as it requires power in order to function. Depending upon the specific continuous radon monitoring device, air is either pumped or naturally diffuses into a container. This kind of device continuously records the amount of radon in the air, revealing any unusually high or low levels. The chamber in which the radon measurement is recorded is called a scintillation cell or ionization chamber. A continuous radon monitoring detector can either store the test analysis in its built-in memory or transmit it to a printer.

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