How To Test Your Home For Radon Gas
With A Digital Radon Monitor
The concept of "radon testing" has evolved to include both quick detection and continuous radon monitoring. Ecosense’s advanced technology reveals that Radon Levels Are Changing All The Time due to various factors such as weather conditions, the effectiveness of mitigation systems, barometric pressure, and even home renovations. A single test cannot accurately capture these radon fluctuations.
The solution? Continuous radon monitoring in your home is the only way to truly understand your indoor radon levels over time.
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Step 1. Know Your Enemy
What Is Radon Gas?
Invisible Threat
Odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas, undetectable by the human senses
Lung Cancer
Leading cause of non-smoker lung cancer, responsible for 21,000 annual deaths in the U.S.
As Bad As Smoking
Equivalent to smoking 8 cigarettes per day, at a radon level of 4 pCi/L
Fluctuates
Radon levels aren't constant - they change all the time, even within a single day
Everywhere
Every U.S. state has high radon levels, with an average ratio of 1 in 15 homes
Any Indoor Space
Gets in any type of building, regardless of insulation, age, or structure
Step 2. Find A Spot For Your Device
Where to place my radon detector?
✅ Set up the device in the lowest occupied level of the house.
✅ Place the device at least 20 inches (50 cm) above the floor and from the wall.
🚫 Do not place the device close to windows, doorways, or exterior walls.
🚫 Keep it away from high heat and humidity.
⚠️ Install at least 2 feet (61 cm) away from Wi-Fi routers and hotspot devices that may affect electromagnetic interference (EMI) on your device.
Step 3. Go Through Settings
Customize Your Radon Detector To Your Needs
01.
Choose Measurement Unit
If you are in the U.S., measure radon concentration in Picocuries per liter (pCi/L). For Canada and Europe, use Becquerels per cubic meter (Bq/m³).
02.
Set Radon Threshold
Follow the EPA's radon "action level" guideline of 4 pCi/L or set your own mitigation goals. Remember that no level of radon exposure is completely risk-free.
03.
Select Alarm Preferences
The device will alert you if it detects radon levels exceeding your threshold through visual and/or audio alarms, as well as mobile notifications.
Step 4. Begin Continuous Radon Monitoring
Which radon monitoring mode should I pick?
01.
Real-Time
Duration: Continuous, with 10-minutes live updates.
Purpose: Provides immediate feedback on radon levels, allowing for instant detection of fluctuations and quick responses to dangerous levels.
Use Cases: Ideal for ongoing surveillance, ensuring environments remain within safe limits, and for identifying daily or hourly variations in radon concentration.
02.
Short-Term
Duration: Typically ranges from 2 to 7 days.
Purpose: Offers a snapshot of radon levels over a brief period, helping to identify potential radon issues in a home or building.
Use Cases: Useful for initial testing to determine if further investigation or mitigation is needed, such as during real estate transactions or initial home inspections.
03.
Long-Term
Duration: Extends from 90 days to a year.
Purpose: Provides an average radon level over an extended period with the most accurate representation of radon seasonal variations.
Use Cases: Best for comprehensive assessments of radon levels to make informed decisions about long-term mitigation strategies and to ensure long-term safety.
Step 5. Know When To Take Action
What does my radon level mean and what should I do next?
GOOD
Homeowners should continue monitoring for at least 90 days. Long-term monitoring is crucial to understand natural fluctuations of radon gas.
MODERATE
To understand the urgency of taking action, consider that breathing air containing 2 pCi/L of radon has the same impact on an adult lung as smoking 4 cigarettes a day.
HIGH RISK
If the average indoor radon level exceeds the action level of 4 pCi/L prescribed by the EPA, it’s crucial to immediately contact a certified radon professional.
Common Questions
Still have a question?
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