Whether you want to know the radon testing level in your home or if you plan to build a new home, radon can have serious health effects. You can do a few things to ensure your home is not affected. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends testing for radon in your home every two years. The EPA also recommends testing after major remodeling or renovation. Professional Radon Testing Colorado Springs can save you a lot of money.
If your radon levels are high, you should take action. You can use a radon mitigation system to pull the radon out of your home. The system consists of a vent pipe and fan, which will help pump the radon out of your home.
When you have professional radon testing done, you will get accurate results. You should follow the instructions on your radon test kit. The test can take as little as 48 hours or as long as 86. A test kit uses charcoal canisters to measure radon levels. The ion generated by radon decay will reduce the electrical charge of the canister. The test will only work if it is undisturbed for the required time.
Choosing between passive and active radon testing is a decision that many homeowners face. Both devices can be useful for testing radon levels. The main difference between the two is that passive devices don’t require power. Instead, they send the results to a lab for analysis.
Passive testing devices are usually less expensive than their counterparts. They come in various forms, including charcoal liquid scintillation and electret ion chamber detectors. They can be found at hardware stores and in mail-order kits.
Unlike passive radon testing equipment, active devices require power. They also need to be calibrated regularly. Some have additional features like a proximity sensor to check whether radon levels are correlated with those in the room. These are useful for a variety of reasons, such as detecting tampering.
Many types of continuous radon monitoring devices are available, including the continuous working level monitor and the continuous radon monitor. They can help you keep radon levels below the EPA guideline.
Whether running a small or large testing project, a Continuous Monitoring Device (CMD) is a useful tool for monitoring radon levels. Typically, these devices have internal motion sensors, which detect changes in barometric pressure, temperature, and the unit’s movement. The information is recorded hourly, which means homeowners can see spikes and a decline in their radon levels.
When using a Continuous Monitoring Device for radon testing, it is important to calibrate the device periodically. This can prove the accuracy of the results, as well as the reliability of the results.
The calibration process includes checking the voltage of the circuitry, determining the discriminator settings, and checking the wave patterns. This is performed in an in-house laboratory or at a reference laboratory. The EPA indicates that active monitors must be calibrated annually. To ensure accurate results, annual calibration is required.
There are two types of active devices: charcoal liquid scintillation and electret ion chamber detectors. The latter has a higher cost and requires special training to use. Symptoms of radon poisoning may be subtle and difficult to detect, but they are important to identify early. You should talk to your doctor if you suspect you’re exposed to radon. This will help you decide if you should schedule a radon test. Symptoms of radon poisoning can include a cough that continues for a long time, chest pain, difficulty breathing, and hoarseness. In the worst cases, these symptoms can lead to lung cancer.
While radon has been linked to lung cancer, it is not yet clear whether it causes other types of cancer. Some studies have suggested that radon is associated with other types of cancer, but more research is needed.
Radon enters the home through cracks in the foundation or basement walls and groundwater. It is hard to detect and is odorless and tasteless. In addition to lung cancer, radon can cause various other respiratory problems. It can lead to frequent bronchitis, pneumonia, and a persistent cough.