Radon Detection
Radon detection
From all the tests required to determine the safety of a living area, the tests for radon detection are probably some of the most complex and vital for the health of the house inhabitants. Radon is a radioactive gas that results from the decay of uranium within the soil; it enters enclosed spaces through cracks or openings in the floor and walls, or it is present in the atmosphere and spring waters. For the last two cases, radon detection is not even compulsory since the levels are totally harmless; the real issue lies in the use of tests for radon detection in low-ground house areas like basements.
There are plenty of home-use radon detection kits that can be purchased from hardware stores. They are devices that rely on the reaction of the alpha particles specific to radon decay, with certain plastic sheets in their structure. All radon detection kits require a minimum exposure period to the area suspected of being contaminated; afterwards, the tests are sent to laboratories for analysis and the results are received through mail. One simple method of radon detection consists in the exposure of a charcoal vessel to the ambient air. The radon atoms will be absorbed in the charcoal and then their number will be revealed by special counting systems.
After radon detection, the next step to be taken is to have the results analyzed by an expert in the field and take the appropriate mitigation measures. You will have to make sure that the person you work with is a certified radon reduction contractor who may evaluate the house structure and find the appropriate ventilation solution for its design. The price of the radon reduction system could thus be established according to the complexity of the intervention depending on the house design and the structure of the house foundation.
Radon detection may be impaired if several precaution measures are not respected and followed strictly. Thus, if you have installed a radon test kit in a certain house area, don't move it until the testing period is complete; moreover, it should be kept away from all humidity sources, since moisture is likely to impair the results. Another tip for achieving optimal test results is to keep all the doors and windows closed in the area for as long as the radon testing kit is functioning. Otherwise, the results you'll get will not reflect the real radon concentration levels in your house.
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... beforehand. Moreover, do not open doors or windows at least twelve hours before you test the area. A short-term radon detector needs to be kept in the enclosed space for a minimum period of two or three days, but depending on the model, a longer exposure period could also be required. For the home-use ...
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