Testing your home is easy to do and should only take a few minutes of your time. It’s as simple as opening a package, placing a radon detector in the basement or on the first floor, and, after 2 to 7 days, sending the detector to a lab for analysis. The lab will then send you the radon test result within a few days of receipt.
Radon levels vary seasonally and tend to be higher in the winter months. The best time to test for radon is in the colder season between the months of November through March when your house is closed up. Keep your windows and outside doors closed as much as possible during the test. The amount of radon in the air is measured in “picocuries per liter of air” or (pCi/L). The US EPA recommends that homes with radon levels at 4 pCi/L or higher be reduced. However, any amount of radon exposure can pose some health risk. Therefore, the EPA recommends that homeowners may want to consider fixing their homes for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.
Even if your radon test result is below 4 pCi/L, you may want to test again in the future. If your living patterns change and you begin occupying a lower level of your home, such as the basement, you should test again on that level. If you are planning a structural renovation, such as converting an unfinished basement area into a living space, it is important to test both before you begin the renovation and after the work is completed. The EPA recommends retesting your home every two years.
You may prefer to hire a nationally certified measurement professional to conduct a radon test in your home - a list of these professionals can be found here.
If the air in your home tests at or above 4 pCi/L and your home has private well water, it is recommended to also test your water for radon. If radon is present in your water, it can become airborne and contribute to your radon in air level. For more information on radon in water, including how to test your water, visit our Radon in Water website.
How to Get a Test Kit:
Each winter, the Radon Program partners with interested local health departments (LHDs) who conduct community-based activities to promote radon testing and mitigation (when elevated levels are found). A part of the partnership includes providing LHDs free short-term radon in air test kits for distribution to community residents. Please contact the Radon Program for more information about this annual partnership.
Additional Resources:
How to Test (Video)
Radon Testing Checklist | Lista de Verificación de Pruebas de Radón