How Does Radon Testing Work?
Do you live in a place that has warnings regarding radon poisoning? Did you know that Indianapolis, IN had over 12 counties with 70 pCi/L radon in 2014? In fact, the poverty-ridden counties experience the highest exposure to radon gas.
In Indianapolis, despite regular testing, it becomes difficult for people to avoid radon poisoning as the cost of installing radon mitigation systems is approximately $800 to $1200. Although, radon testing in Indianapolis, IN, and radon mitigation systems are necessary. Meanwhile, you might wonder what radon is testing and how it is done. So, this article will enlighten you.
What Is Radon?
Radon is an odorless, colorless, and radioactive gas. It is generally released when radium and uranium from the soil break down. Sometimes, this radioactive gas can be present in construction materials like concrete or granite and can enter your homes.
According to the EPA, if your home has more than 4 pCi/L of radon, you are at risk for radon poisoning. Plus, this gas can be present in varying levels in two houses next to each other. So, you need to conduct radon testing regularly.
What Is Radon Testing?
Radon testing in Indianapolis, IN, is done to examine the radon levels at your home. Generally, these radon testing takes 48 hours to 90 days to conduct. They fluctuate by seasons, temperatures, and barometric pressures. Meanwhile, there are three basic types of tests depending on the timing:
Short Term Testing
The radon test is done in the short term when you need to determine if serious testing is warranted. In the short-term testing, the radon levels are tested for 48 hours, and the test is mailed to a lab for final results.
Long Term Testing
The radon test is conducted for the long term to get an accurate indicator of the radon level in your home. It is generally done over a period of 90 days to one year, and this test gives you an idea of how much radon has accumulated at your home.
Continuous Testing
This radon testing is done continuously for testing radon levels in real-time, while you can use this to do short-term and long-term testing. Plus, you can get daily readings to understand the average amount of radon at your home.
How Is Radon Testing done?
Radon testing is done in the long-term, short-term, or continuously, and it is generally done using active and passive devices.
Passive Device Testing
Passive devices are radon detectors that don’t require electricity. They trap radon samples and then are analyzed in a lab. As such, charcoal canisters, electret Ion detectors, charcoal liquid scintillation detectors, and alpha track detectors are used as passive devices to test for radon.
Active Device Testing
Active devices are radon detectors that require electricity to power them. These devices help monitor the radon in your area using continuous monitoring devices. These generally require professional services to ensure accurate testing.
Indianapolis, IN soil, is rich in uranium and radium, which break down into radon gas. This radioactive gas can prove hazardous as it can cause lung cancer and its symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and more. That’s why it’s essential to test your home for radon to determine when and how to install radon mitigation systems. Also, radon testing is so common in Indianapolis as you can buy kits to test the radon levels in your home.
