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Radon is a naturally occurring invisible gas that can cause lung cancer. A lot of people think radon is only a problem in older, single-family homes. In fact, radon can affect everything from small houses to public housing projects. Learn how to test levels, monitor and reduce indoor radon.
Here are highly-rated products for both single-use testing and long-term monitoring in your home:
Single-use Testing
Single-Use Long-Term Tests
Long-term Monitoring
Radon is an invisible radioactive gas that can get trapped in your home. Radon gas comes from the soil, rocks and water under your home. It is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and is responsible for 21,000 deaths a year, according to government data. EPA estimates that nearly one in 15 U.S. homes have elevated radon levels (4 pCi/L or more). Check your county’s average indoor radon levels here.
In some homes, radon levels are high enough to increase lung cancer risk for their occupants over their lifetimes. The lungs become contaminated with radon decay products after an individual breathes them in. Radon exposure is thought to increase linearly with increasing radon concentration, so the higher the average radon level in a house and the longer the exposure period, the greater the risk.
Day-to-day and season-to-season radon levels can vary. Wet weather, for instance, tends to make radon worse. Getting a comprehensive understanding of your exposure will require more than one test. Repeated testing is essential if the AreaHub radon score indicates you live in an area with higher risk. According to a study of 12,000 residential buildings in North America, it is increasing everywhere.
Note that winter readings are typically higher than those taken in summer. This is because a house is more likely to accumulate radon during winter due to the greater differential between outdoor and indoor pressure. Additionally, your home may be less ventilated in the winter. EPA recommends testing in the winter.
According to the EPA you should take steps to mitigate radon in your home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Since no level of exposure is risk-free, the EPA recommends that people take action at 2 pCi/L or higher.
You can test your home yourself by purchasing a radon monitoring kit or device, which is likely sufficient for most people. However, the most accurate way to measure radon is through a professional radon service. The EPA requires all state recipients of indoor radon grants to maintain and provide the public with a list of only those radon service providers who are credentialed either through:
Since the cost of professional services can be a factor, we have selected two types of consumer products to highlight: single-use radon test kits and long-term electronic residential radon monitors.
To help you select the best product to check your home, work, or other spaces for dangerous radon gas we chose the following highly rated products based on important consumer concerns about accuracy, usability, and ease of installation. These products have 4+ star reviews on Amazon, and where indicated also include top-performing ratings from housefresh, safewise, and bobvila.
Pricing Guide
This test monitors your radon levels for 2-7 days and is the most common type of test. If a single short-term test reveals levels of 4 pCi/L or more, conduct the test again and average the results for a more accurate estimate of radon levels. For this reason, short-term kits provide a good indicator of whether additional testing is warranted.
First Alert Radon Test Kit
Health Metric Radon Test Kit
A long-term test of 3-12 months is more likely to tell your average exposure over time, which is important since radon levels fluctuate daily and by season. The US EPA defines long term as 91 days or longer.
RSSI Long-Term Alpha Track Radon Detector Kit
Price: $
Testing period: One month to a year
RSSI is NRPP and C-NRPP certified and state licensed
Also recognized by the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Results: Available by email or mail, and also available online
Long-Term (AT) Radon Test Kit
Price: $
Cited on their website: “Rated #1 by a leading National Consumer Advocacy Group. The U.S. EPA has verified this product for accurate radon measurement”
Testing period: 3 months to 1 year
Results: Available online within 4 weeks after the lab receives your kit
PRO-LAB Long-Term Radon Test Kit
Price: $
Testing period: 3 months to 1 year
Results: Available within two weeks after mailing in test by mail and also by phone app
Radonova Radtrak³
Price: $$
Testing period: 90-365 days
Results: Mail to NRPP-certified lab for results within 3-5 days via email
These radon monitors electronically check radon levels on a continuous, daily or weekly basis.
AirThings Corentium Home
Price: $$$
Rated Top-performing by: housefresh, safewise, bobvilla
Results: Real-time radon display on unit, no phone app
EcoSense Radon Eye RD200
Price: $$$
Rated Top-performing by: housefresh, safewise, bobvilla
Results: Real-time radon display and view results via Bluetooth-connected smartphone
Wave Radon
Price: $$$
Rated Top-performing by: housefresh, safewise, bobvilla
Results: Real-time via phone app, color changes on unit
Learn more about radon and visit our in-depth radon article to learn about what you can do. EPA generally recommends these two methods that prevent the entry of radon and/or remove it:
Create barriers to entry by sealing cracks and gaps or openings in the basement or below the slab of the home or building.
Remove radon once it is inside by installing active ventilation or water filters.
Contact a qualified radon mitigation contractor to lower your home's radon levels. While some techniques prevent radon from entering your home, others reduce its levels once it has entered.
Disclaimer: These products are not endorsed by AreaHub. AreaHub will not be liable for using the product if you purchase it. If you buy something through any of these links, AreaHub will be compensated by the seller or the product platform.