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Methods for Radon Gas Testing

Radon is an invisible and odorless gas. It is a chemical element with an atomic number of 86. Radon can be formed via radioactive decay of uranium. The EPA has stated that radon exposure may be the second most common cause of lung cancer, after cigarette smoking. Radon gas can build up in enclosed areas, particularly basements. The EPA recommends that homeowners test for radon and perform mitigation when radon levels exceed a threshold of 4 picocuries of radon per liter of air.

  1. Types of Testing for Radon Gas

    • Testing can be done using short-term or long-term protocols, using either small sampling test kits or more sophisticated monitoring devices.

    Short-Term Test Kits

    • Using commercially available test kits, you expose a small sample collector for a short period (e.g., from 2 to 7 days) and then return the collector to the company, which then performs the analysis and notifies you of the results. Radon concentrations naturally vary over time, and so a positive result might be deceptive and should be confirmed by repeated testing.

    Long-Term Test Kits

    • In some cases, including those where you have found levels exceeding the 4 picocuries of radon per liter of air threshold, longer-term sampling is advised. This can be done using a long-term version of the simple collectors used for short-term sampling or with more sophisticated electronic installations that record levels continuously and then download the data to the analysis lab. Sampling periods of up to a year can be used.

    Granite Countertop Testing

    • Another potential source of radon is granite countertops, since granite can contain small concentrations of uranium, which breaks down to produce radon. Homeowners or others who wish to test for radon in their granite countertops can use another type of test kit in which the the collector is exposed for a somewhat longer period than used for short-term residential testing and then sent back to the lab for analysis.

    Where to Obtain Test Kits

    • You can purchase test kits from commercial vendors--for example, online--or contact your state or local health department to see if they supply test kits free of charge. Persons who are concerned about radon gas should contact their state health department for more information about testing.

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