Radon gas is a natural gas that occurs naturally all around the world.
However, when it's found in high concentrations in homes, schools, or businesses, it poses health risks to everyone who is exposed to it.
There are several things you can do to combat the risks of radon, like having your home tested and mitigated by professionals.
Another way to combat this risk is to buy radon detectors that can detect radon gas in homes and wells, with the hope of preventing any potential adverse effects.
In the article below, we'll learn a little more about radon, and talk about five of the best radon detectors available.
Just bought your dream home? Read our blog post: "If You Just Bought A Home, This is What You Need to Know."
Table Of Contents
- What Is Radon
- Health Risks Of Radon
- The Radon Detectors
- Nothing Beats The Professionals
- Radon Eliminator
What Is Radon
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that forms as elements such as uranium decay in the soil.
The gas can then be released into the air from cracks in a building's foundation or from surface water.
Your local geology, which can vary even within a single neighborhood, determines whether or not radon exists in your area.
And just because your neighbor is safe doesn't mean you are. Radon levels can vary even between neighbors.
Radon is typically present in areas close to the ground like basements, crawlspaces, foundations, sump pumps, construction joints, rivers, and lakes.
In areas with little to no ventilation, the radon can quickly reach higher levels.
Health Risks Of Radon
Right behind cigarette smoke, radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America.
Radon causes between 15,00 and 22,000 lung cancer deaths every year.
Anyone who smokes and is also around higher radon levels is at an elevated risk of developing lung cancer.
Being completely invisible, silent, odorless, and tasteless makes radon gas that much more dangerous to your health.
According to the EPA, lung cancer from radon exposure kills more people every year than carbon monoxide, house fires, and drowning.
Radioactive particles from radon gas can get into your lungs and release bursts of energy, damaging your lung tissue and leading to lung cancer.
The Radon Detectors
1. Safety Siren Pro Series3
The Safety SIren is going to cost you more than the other detectors on the list, but for good reason.
This EPA-evaluated device lasts longer than any other radon detection kit on the market.
It sports a digital monitor that displays the radon gas level, both short and long-term averages, and can last up to five years.
2. AirThings Corentium Home
You can easily move the AirThings Corentium Home Radon Gas Detector to any area of your home to allow testing all over your home.
You can even take it to work to see if there's any reason to be concerned while you're at work.
The detector also boasts high accuracy, with only a 5% variance.
The main drawback with this detector is it's three AAA batteries will need to be replaced every couple of years.
3. Pro-Lab Long-Term Radon Gas Test Kit
The Pro-Lab Long-Term Radon Gas Test Kit should give more accurate results since it samples your home's air quality for an extended period of time.
That accuracy comes at a price, however.
You'll have to pay $40 for a lab to analyze your test kit results.
Also, if you're looking for quick results, this isn't the detector for you.
The quickest turn around with this one is three months.
4. First Alert RD1 Radon Gas Test Kit
First Alert offers an easy setup and fast analysis.
They will deliver your test results, with a detailed action plan, within 72 hours of receiving your sample.
If you're looking to test a home, you're thinking about buying, this is a great test for you because it only needs 48 hours to test the radon levels.
It also has over 900 Amazon reviews with a four-star rating.
5. Kidde Radon Gas Detection Kit
The Kidde Radon Gas Detection Kit is an all-in-one radon sampler bag that just needs to be placed in the testing location for two to three days.
Then you send it to their laboratory in the return envelope they provide.
It's an excellent kit for short-term radon tests.
Nothing Beats The Professionals
Although these kits do the job and will serve as a defense against Radon, there's still nothing better than letting a professional test your home.
Professional radon testing is performed by an impartial third-party who is trained and certified.
There are two types exclusively available through certified professionals.
Those tests are the passive electret and active tests.
The electret test uses a Teflon disc that is statically charged.
When an ion generated from radon decay strikes the disc, the electrical charge is reduced, and the reduction is measured in a lab.
Active tests are the only ones that require electrical power.
They use a continuous monitoring device to detect and record your radon levels during the entire duration of the test.
Radon Eliminator
If you're ready to have your home tested by a professional to ensure the safety of you and your family, call the professionals at Radon Eliminator.
They will send a professional to your home or business to get accurate readings of the radon in the building.
Then, if necessary, they can help you return the levels to safety with a mitigation system.
Click the button below to get started.
