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What is Radon Gas?
Radon is a radioactive gas which is colourless and odourless. Uranium, which is a heavy metal found in the soil, rocks and water, gets decayed and turns into radium. Eventually the radium breaks down and turns into radon. This hazardous gas becomes the part of the air and even a very small amount can be lethal for your health.
Health Hazards of Radon Gas
The gas is found mostly in homes that out built over natural soil with uranium deposits. Radon gas can enter through floors, walls, pipes, electrical wires, etc into the house. This gas gets into the lungs and produces radiation which over time can damage the cells and result in lung cancer. And, it has been found that this radioactive gas is the second biggest cause of lung cancer outside of cigarette smoking. Unfortunately, radon poisoning doesn’t give away any symptoms in the beginning, which makes it even more lethal.
As per the Assessment of Risks from Radon, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revealed that one out of every fifteen houses in US has high levels of radon. Also, lung cancer caused by exposure to this radioactive gas leads to more deaths than drowning, fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. Radon inhalation induces almost 15000-20000 lung cancers deaths every year.
Radon Gas Detectors
As you cannot see or smell radon gas, it is not possible to find out if your place is contaminated unless you use a radon gas detector. When it is a concern of your safety and health, it is important that you are aware of this hazardous gas. Radon gas detectors are as important as any other smoke detector.  It doesn’t matter if you have just moved in to a new house or had been living in a house for a long time, testing the level of radon is crucial. If you find that the levels are high, then proper steps for remediation can be taken. There are many radon gas detectors which have been time-tested, and we have accumulated the list of the best products which will make the decision to buy easy for you.
Types of Radon Gas Detectors
Even though all the detectors serve the same purpose, but there are various types of radon gas detectors that you can find in the market today.
Short Term
As the name implies, short term radon gas detectors are ideal for those who want to know the radon estimate in the house at the earliest. These detectors are cheap in comparison to other detectors. However, the result and information may vary with short term radon test kits.
Long Term
These detectors have a broad result range and can take up to 2-90 days to show results. The results in long term detectors are precise to the extent that you can get information on radon gas level in different seasons, temperature and weathers.
Long term radon gas detectors provide an average as radon gas levels can vary from day to day. This feature makes them better than short term detectors.
Alpha-Track Radon Gas Detectors
Right now, alpha-track radon gas detectors are undoubtedly the best kits available out there. These are the long term solution to all your radon gas issues.
These detectors use a polycarbonate plastic sheet and this sheet collects the air particles. When the alpha particles come in contact with this polycarbonate sheets, they leave small marks. A lab technician can analyze these marks which gives the level of radon gas in the house.
Charcoal Radon Gas Detectors
These are very short term solutions to detect radon gas levels and are ideal for those who are looking for some cheap options.
The charcoal absorbs radon gas from air and then it is sent to the lab for assessment. The level of radon gas is determined by the speed in which the charcoal absorbs the gas from the air. These detectors provide accurate information but it can take anywhere from 3-7 days to show the results.
Digital Radon Gas Detectors
If you are looking for a detector which can give you result continuously and steadily, then digital radon gas detector would be the best choice for you. With these detectors, you do not need to take the samples to a lab. You can get both long-term and short-term results.
Also, digital radon gas detectors can determine the effectiveness of a radon mitigation system. The detector allows you to know the levels of radon gas in your house within a day.
BEST RADON GAS DETECTORS 2019
Corentium Home Radon Gas Detector by Airthings 223Â
This is indeed the best tool to detect radon gas levels in the house. Corentium Home Radon gas Detector is popular choice among users and there are several positive reviews online.
The LCD screen in the detector gives easy interpretation of both short-term and long-term radon gas levels which makes it easy to take an informed decision. As the radon gas levels can fluctuate from day to day, it is imperative that you access the levels in real time in order to take necessary steps and avoid potential health hazards.
The detector is highly resistant to external factors such as weather, humidity, dust and other environmental changes. With this detector you can easily take measurements in all the rooms individually to get an overview and accurate measurement of the level of radon gas within your house, workplace or any location. You can use this tool while inspecting property or while checking the operation of a radon mitigation system.
Designed by scientists, Corentium Home Radon Gas Detector has an internal design which comes from advanced technology usually reserved for high-end commercial detectors. Even though the price of this kit is a little at the higher end, but all the features make it worth spending up on.
Pros:
- Precise and instant results
- Lightweight and easy to use
- Both long-term and short-term results
- 2 years of battery life
Cons:
- Quite pricey
Safety Siren Pro Series3 Radon Gas Detector – HS71512
Check price and specs on Amazon
At first glance you may find Safety Siren Pro Series3 Radon Gas Detector as a complicated machine. However, this tool from, Family Safety Products, Inc is designed with the sole purpose of giving accurate results without hurting your pockets. The brand’s name is highly trusted in the market, so it is assured that the quality is never compromised.
The tools gives both short-term and long –term readings which can be easily read on the LED panel. If you are looking for more precise results than you switch from short-term to long-term readings with just a button press. You can get the radon test results within the first 48 hours post installation, which makes the detector perfect if you have any upcoming inspection. It also updates the air sample in every 24 hours to enhance the accuracy if the readings.
The only issue with the detector is that it is not portable at all; it has to be plugged into a wall socket. You can’t take it outside with you as it is not supported by the battery power. Other than that, the performance and precision of the tool is amazing. The tool is ideal for domestic usage but not for industrial or professional purposes.
Pros:
- Daily self-testing every 24 hours
- Numeric LED display
- Easy to use
- Standard accuracy
Cons:
- Old design
- Non portable
Radon Eye RD200 Smart Radon Gas Monitor and Detector
Check reviews and price on Amazon
Another top choice in the market and one of the most advanced radon test kits, Radon Eye RD200 Smart Radon gas Monitor Detector is 20 times more sensitive than any other average radon testing kit. This highly accurate detector has dual structured mechanism with pulsed ionization that incorporates the state of art technology.
The detector is extremely fast and you can get results within 60 minutes. The kits boasts LED screen graph display for convenient analysis, Bluetooth support and alarm settings.
You can get accurate results using this kit, irrespective of the location which usually is a common problem with other detectors in the market now. As source, it is an active detector, it needs constant power. You will get a 12 volt DC adapter and an internal battery with the kit. To start the detector, you just need to locate it in a place and turn it on. The LCD will display the level of radon in the room, however, for more detailed readings; you have to connect your smartphone.
Pros:
- Absolutely accurate results
- Convenient data logging
Cons:
- No wall mounting
Accustar Alpha Track Radon Gas Test Kit AT 100
Check reviews and price on Amazon
Accustar Alpha Track Radon Gas Test Kit has been rated number 1 by a leading National Consumer Advocacy Company. This is a long term detection kit that can be used only for a period of 3 months to a maximum of one year. However, the Accustar Alpha Track Test Kit isn’t as time sensitive as other short-term test kits. You can get a better overall estimate of the radon levels in your house. This kind of detector is perfect for places where radon gas is not a constant problem. With the hemispherical base design, the detector gets maximum sensitivity and creates a constant track distribution for precise counting statistics.
To use the detector, you just need to remove it from the packaging and lay it out at the location. The tool detects the gas on the basis of diffusion by filtering radon scion through a structural filter. When the time is up, you have to send to the lab in a pre-addressed postage paid envelope for the assessment. This way you will get to know pretty fast if you need a professional for radon testing.
Pros:
- Very simple to use
- Two kits in the packaging
- Kit includes test results and prepaid return shipping to the lab
Cons:
- A bite expensive for a short-term kit
PRO-LAB Long-Term Radon Gas Test Kit RL116
Read Reviews and price on Amazon
Another long –term test kit PRO-LAB Long-Term Radon Gas Test Kit uses Alpha Track technology which last for 3-12 months. The kit is extremely simple to use, all you need to do is remove the cap and place it in the preferred location for maximum of one year.
Post completion of the test you have to put the cap back and fill the data card to send it to the lab for the results. You will get the information on the radon levels in your house within 72 hours post once it is received in the lab for assessment.
Pros:
- Alpha Track Technology
- Prepaid envelope
Cons:
- Additional lab testing fee of $4o
Wrapping up:
These are few of the best radon gas detectors in the market; however, this list is definitely not exhaustive.
Make sure that you carry out radon gas tests every two years in your house to ensure that you are living within the radon levels that have been approved by EPA
