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How Is Radon Measured?

Radon is a type of gas that develops during the radioactive breakdown of uranium. Radon is measured with a type of unit known as a picocurie. Measurements are conducted in homes to detect any radon levels. Since radon is colorless and odorless, radon in your home can be especially dangerous---you may not know it's even there. Being exposed to radon can cause lung-tissue damage, lung cancer, respiratory diseases and several types of carcinomas.

  1. Picocurie

    • Your house shouldn't have a radon measurement of more than 4pCi/l.

      A curie is a type of unit that measures an amount of radioactivity. A picocurie measures down to one trillionth of a measurement in curie. When radon is measured within a home, there's a certain level of acceptability of radon that's allowed within a home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average unit of radon found within a home is 1.3 pCi/l, or 1.3 picocuries per liter of air. If a level of 4 pCi/l or higher is found within your home, measures will be enacted to lower the radon levels.

    Air Samples

    • Radon kits are placed in the heaviest occupied rooms.

      Air samples can be taken within your home to measure the amount of radon in the air. Radon kits that are sold in hardware stores can be placed within the most occupied rooms in your home. After a couple of days, the kits need to be sent to a laboratory (contact info will be provided by your testing kit) to analyze the samples. These kits can help pinpoint the source of radon contamination within your home.

    Alpha Dosimetry

    • An alpha dosimetry measures the amount of radon within your home. The amount of radioactive decay that's taking place in conjunction with the amount of radon atoms found is measured. Within the dosimetry is a small piece of plastic---as radon particles enter the dosimetry, the particles will hit the plastic, causing the plastic to etch across the dosimetry. The more intense the markings, the higher the measurement of radon.

    Activated Charcoal

    • Activated charcoal devices can be placed within your home through a radon investigator. (You can find a radon investigator through the Environmental Protection Agency.) As the activated charcoal is exposed to the air within your home, the charcoal will suck in the radon. After a few days, your investigator will send the charcoal devices to a laboratory. The lab can measure the amount of radon found within the charcoal.

    Radon Detector

    • A radon investigator can place electret-ion chamber radon detectors within your home. Within this type of detector is a chamber that collects ions if radiation is present. If radon is measured within your home, the detector will reduce its voltage. These type of devices can be used over a course of a few days to up to 12 months to help identify radon levels.

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