Introduction

• According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon contamination is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, claiming more than 20,000 lives per year. Radon, a gas produced by uranium decay, can make its way into a building through cracks in the foundations, walls and floors, and the water supply. As radon is tasteless and odorless, the only way to detect it is through a radon test.
  
  

Passive Tests

• Passive radon tests operate without electricity. These can be purchased in stores. There are a number of passive tests to choose from.
  
  Charcoal canisters absorb radon into a charcoal disc. The canister is then sent to a lab, where radon emissions from the charcoal can be measured. There is also a charcoal liquid scintillation device, which enables radon particles to be turned into light and then measured.
  
  Another type of passive test is an alpha track detector. Alpha particles given off by the radon etch into a sheet of plastic film. Technicians can read the level of radon contamination by counting the particle tracks.
  
  Electric ion detectors are typically available through a laboratory. These come in the form of Teflon discs that have been statically charged. Radon ions hit the disc, thereby reducing its charge. The amount of radon contamination can then be measured on the basis of the reduced charge.
  
  

Active Tests

• Active radon tests include continuous radon monitors or continuous working level monitors. These can only be operated by a professional. Active tests run on electricity and are good for monitoring long-term trends in radon contamination. These are often used when measuring the radon level in the home when attempting to sell it or after a short-term test has been completed for a more thorough analysis.
  
  

Conducting a Radon Test

• Radon tests work best when placed in the lowest level of a building, such as the basement, where radon is the most prevalent. They should also be conducted in the room that is used most often. Short-term tests in particular operate best when little air is allowed from outside. These should be placed high enough from the floor so that they cannot be knocked over, throwing off the results.
  
  

Radon Reduction

• Anything over 4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter) of radon is extremely dangerous. Steps must then be taken to reduce the radon content of a building. Hiring a contractor who is trained in radon reduction can offer a good chance for success. They may install a ventilation system, as well as seal up any cracks in areas that may allow radon inside.