Radon is a radioactive gas produced when uranium in soil decays. It then enters your home through cracks and pores in the foundation. Once inside, you breathe it in and it actually begins to change your dna in your lungs, and can lead to lung cancer. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Therefore it is imperative to test your home for radon. So what kind of radon test should you use?

Different kinds of radon tests

In order to get results quickly,  do a short term test. Two groups of devices are more commonly used for short-term testing.

Passive Radon Testing Devices

This basically means that it doesn’t need power to function. The most common two of these are charcoal test kits and electric ion chamber testers, often called E Perm testers. These tests are set on the lowest level of the home and left for a minimum of 48 hours. After testing they are sent back to the laboratory for analysis. 

Active Radon Testing Devices

These ones obviously require power to function. These are often called continuous monitors. These usually require being set by certified radon experts and are often used when results must be certified. For example, in a real estate transaction.

Testing your home for radon

The important thing to consider when you are testing your home for radon, is the company that you use. Make sure you go through a company with experience and good reputation. They can help you quickly begin the testing process and get your results within a few days. They will give you a number of pCi/l (picocuries per liter), which is the unit of measurement for radon. Click here to learn whether your number requires action to remove the radon from your home.

Fill out the form on this page or call Utah Radon Services at 801-871-0715 to begin the testing process today.