Professional Radon Testing & Measuring

How to Measure Radon

Radon is a type of a radioactive gas which is naturally produced when uranium is broken down in the ground. It is not easily detectable since it is impossible to see, taste or even smells it. Radon is normally diluted so it might as well be of little concern but it is always advisable to measure it. Some people might wonder, why do it?

Why you should Measure Radon in Your Home

In places that are confined, like your house, radon should be tested to prevent it from accumulating to higher levels which can be dangerous. The presence of radon in your house will increase your chances of developing lung cancer which is highly fatal. Actually, it comes second when it comes to the causes of lung cancer, after smoking. This risk of developing this undesirable disease highly depends on the radon’s level in your house and the time of exposure. Whether or not you are a smoker also matters.
This is how serious it can get. I bet you do not want to pave your way to an early death when you know that there is something that you can do about it. You can measure radon using radon testing kits and detectors.

How to measure radon using radon detectors

There are so many ways to measure radon in your home, but how to do it with radon detectors is the question. Various types of these detectors are easily available in hardware stores.

Things that you should do when carrying out the test

When using radon detectors to measure radon in your home, there are things that you should do to ensure your safety and to get accurate results.
1. Close all the windows and doors apart from the normal entry and the main exit.
2. Switch off fans or any other machine that normally allows in air from outside. You can, however, use small exhaust fans which only operate for a short time.You should put the detector in a place that it will not be disturbed. This could be three feet away from doors and windows that are facing the outside, 20 inches – 6 feet above your floor and a distance of four inches from any other object whatsoever. There are also places that you should avoid placing your radon detector.

Places that you should not place your radon detector

You should not place radon detectors in kitchens, laundry rooms or bathrooms since the humidity in these locations may alter the way the detectors function.
It is also very possible for places like floors, wall cracks, and crawl spaces to cause a high reading that is false, so it is advisable to avoid them.When the test has been completed, place the detector in a package, and this should be accompanied by other paperwork. You can then send it to a radon measurement laboratory after you have sealed it. You should expect the results as soon as after ten days, but it can take two weeks at most.Measuring radon in your home is quite easy, and it is something that can be done by anyone. You only have to be careful to avoid getting false results.

You can order radon detectors and buy radon testing kits from Radonova UK. For our Scandinavian customers please visit radonova.no instead.

United Kingdom

RPmatters

Plymouth Science Park

1 Davy Rd Plymouth PL6 8BX

Norway

Postboks 2

2712 Brand

Understanding the Risks of Radon

Radon exposure is a major problem that affects hundreds of thousands, if not millions of people around the globe each year. In many countries like the United States, it is the number two leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, and it is estimated to cost billions of dollars per year in related health care expenses. However, the problem of radon isn’t only limited to certain geographic areas, nor is it as easy to prevent as damage caused by smoking or other lifestyle choices. The reason being that radon is a naturally occurring gas, meaning that it could be present in almost any place at any time.

The best way to protect yourself and that of your family from this potentially harmful chemical is to be informed, as understanding what radon is and where, how and why it occurs is the first step towards preventing unwanted exposure.

Where Does Radon Come From?

One of the first questions most people ask when they learn about the risks associated with this chemical is where does radon come from, as it’s first important to know the potential sources of the gas in order to minimize the risk of exposure. The problem is that radon could potentially be present almost anywhere. This is because the gas is produced due to the natural decay of uranium in the soil, rocks and groundwater. As uranium is naturally found in most igneous rock and soil, radon gas is also a naturally occurring product in many parts of the world.

One major problem with radon is that this radioactive gas is formed by only a single atom, which means that it easily penetrates into concrete, insulation, wood and other building materials. Radon is also the heaviest gas known to man, meaning that it doesn’t dissipate like lighter gases. Instead it tends to become concentrated in low-lying areas like basements, crawlspaces and underground mines, putting people at increased risk for harmful exposure.

How Radon Affects Your Health

As radon is radioactive, exposure to the gas affects your health in much the same way as exposure to any other type of radiation would. This means that people who breathe in the radioactive particles or drink water containing them are at a much increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, especially lung cancer. In fact, living under conditions where you are exposed to higher concentrations of the gas can cause the same amount of damage to your lungs as smoking a pack or two of cigarettes per day, and the risk of cancer becomes even greater for those who both smoke and continually breathe in the gas.

The problem is that radon can and does occur almost everywhere, which makes it extremely important that you regularly test and monitor the radon levels in your home so as to prevent you and your family from being needlessly exposed. In truth, this is the only surefire way to know that your home or workplace is radon free, as the gas is entirely colorless and odorless, meaning you probably won’t know you’ve been exposed until it’s too late. Therefore it’s important that everyone is aware what radon is and how it can affect your health, as knowledge is the first step in prevention.