Why to test your home for radon

Why Are You Testing?

Real estate transactions: If you have decided to conduct a radon home test as part of a real estate transaction, you may only have time for a short-term radon test.  Short-term radon tests provide a measure of the radon level in your home only during the brief test period.  The US EPA guidelines for radon tests of 2-7 days call for sealing the house by closing all windows and using doors as little as possible.  The US EPA recommends running two short-term radon tests either side-by-side or sequentially.  Order short-term radon test kits

Verifying short-term radon results: Before spending money on a radon mitigation system, conduct a long-term test.  Radon levels vary in daily and seasonal cycles and in response to weather conditions and ventilation patterns.  Short-term radon tests may accurately report radon levels during the few days of their test period, but still not properly represent the yearly average radon level to which you are exposed.  Order long-term radon test kits

Long-term accuracy: Long-term radon tests provide you with the most accurate estimate of your health risk.  By averaging daily and seasonal radon fluctuations, testing for a full year will provide the most complete picture of the average radon level in your home.  RSSI Alpha-track detectors can also provide excellent results in 14-90 day test periods.  Homes do not need to be sealed for alpha-track tests, as is required for short-term tests.Order long-term radon test kits

Radon levels fluctuate widely in regions of the country that have Karst geology: fractured limestone, caves or underground streams.  In a Karst region or in a building over a mine, yearlong testing is recommended to account for these fluctuations.  If you have further questions, contact your state radon office.

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