ROCKVILLE, MD / ACCESSWIRE / May 24, 2018 / Radon gas is a colorless, odorless gas, and it is a radioactive byproduct of radium. When radon gas decays, it emits ionized radiation, which damages our lungs and DNA. There are over 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year caused by radon gas.
The source of radon is soil with uranium under our houses, granite counter-tops, and underground water. Radon gas is 7 times heavier than air - that's why it concentrates in basements and lower levels of the house. The level of radon gas can be detected only by a special radon testing procedure. You have the option to test with a DIY testing kit or with the help of licensed radon measurement providers.
Before you consider the radon testing method you should analyze all pros and cons of each testing procedure.
For example, you can purchase an activated charcoal DIY Radon Test kit from a local hardware store. Charcoal absorbs air with radon for a specified amount of time. Then you seal the test kit and send to the designated lab. The laboratory technician will analyze your samples and determine the radon level.
However, radon does not last forever, it decays in 3.8 days. You may forget to use express mail to ship the test sample immediately or the package may get delayed by the carrier.
Time is very important for DIY radon test kits, it is very critical to deliver test sample to the lab ASAP, otherwise results won't be accurate or won't be valid at all. For instance, only the samples which are delivered within 3-4 days can be analyzed by the lab. Samples that are 8 days old will get only an estimated result. After 11 days, NO result can be provided, samples are no longer valid.
Mike Calamus from Calamus-Enterprises.com checking radon gas testing results. Photo by CE Radon Testing Maryland
Unfortunately, DIY radon test kits are very sensitive to humidity too. If you must test a damp or humid room (over 55% RH), then test only for the shortest recommended period. The fact is that during spring-summer-fall time in Maryland VA and the DC area humidity is about 85-95%.
The list of don't for DIY radon test kits is longer than we would probably like to hear. Accuracy of DIY radon test kits is below average or invalid completely after 11 days.
Radon inspection contingency for real estate transactions is even more complex. The buyer can have a valid concern regarding the test and the sample being tampered with, since we cannot prove if the DIY radon test kit was moved from the testing location, the lowest livable area of the house during the test time. Tampering or interfering with radon test can create false results.
CeRadonTesting.com QA/QC Manager Kate Reddy adds: "Instant radon test, with Continuous radon monitors by licensed radon measurement providers is highly accurate. Each hour the device takes air sample for the radon levels, air either diffuses or is pumped into a counting chamber. Radon level is being measured immediately. Moreover, radon monitors can easily detect any movements or interfering with a test, proving the most accurate radioactive radon gas inspection."
Radon test machine will sample radon gas each hour and produce 49 samples during the 2 day radon inspection in comparison with only 1 air sample from radon home kits, which you can get in local home improvement shops. Photo by https://www.ceradontesting.com/.
Short term radon testing offered by licensed professionals has several advantages:
1. Results are available onsite, no shipping required
2. Results are highly precise and accurate
3. Radon is measured in real time and offers variations in radon concentrations during each sampling hour
4. Radon can be measured at various time intervals, tests can be delayed if required
5. Monitors detect any movement of the device, which is important during testing for real estate transactions, by providing evidence of tampering
Continuous Radon Monitor Typical testing results graph by https://www.calamus-enterprises.com/ce-radon-testing/
The US EPA, World Health Organization, and even local radon gas law in Montgomery county, MD highly advise to measure gas radon levels in homes and public buildings to recognize any problems with radioactivity. Radon gas is very dangerous for one's health. Radon gas is 7.5 times heavier than air and it easily accumulates in basements and lower levels in the buildings. About 1 out of every 15 homes has radon level above the EPA's "action limit" which is 4 pCi/L. If elevated radon levels are detected, people can take simple actions to protect their health, for example by creating a proper ventilation in the property. Also, radon can be reduced by limiting entry points of radon gas into buildings. Individualized radon mitigation system can be installed to seal cracks in the foundation floor and walls surfaces.
SOURCE: Radon Testing Maryland