Radon Detectors

Radon detectors are devices that are designed to find out how much radon gas is present in an area. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is very hazardous to your health. In fact, radon is the second most common cause of lung cancer-only cigarette smoking causes more incidences of lung cancer-and is thought to be the sixth most common cause of cancer related deaths overall. The use of a radon detector is the only way to determine if radon is present in your home.

Radon detectors are most often thought of as only detecting radon in the air inside a home or office. However, radon may also be found coming from the ground where no home is built, giving you a good reason to test the area for radon prior to building a home on a particular piece of land. Radon is also found in water, and there are types of radon detectors designed specifically to be used to test water.

A common question people ask is: How do radon gas detectors work? The answer depends on the type of radon detector you are using. Home radon detectors are available in short-term or long-term test kits, and as actual pieces of equipment that you install in your home. Radon test kits consist of collectors, often containing charcoal, that can be hung up in any area of the home where the presence of radon gas is suspected. These collectors may be left in place for about a week for short-term tests, or up to a year for long term tests. The collectors are then mailed to a lab for analysis. For a quicker result that can be read at any time, you may prefer a radon detection unit. These are available as simple digital radon detectors that sound an alarm if the radon level rises above a certain level, and more elaborate electronic radon gas detectors with remote monitors. A common purchase for homeowners is a First Alert radon gas detector, made by the same company that is known for smoke alarms. Landauer radon gas detectors are available that are more complex, and really designed for the professional.

If you would prefer not to handle radon detection yourself, there are companies that offer professional radon detector services. Most professional radon detector companies will offer radon detection on either a short-term or long-term basis, and often get the results to you very quickly.