UNDERSTANDING RADON TESTING METHODS
There are several different types of test equipment that can be used to detect radon. In South Carolina a free charcoal radon test kit can be obtained by homeowners through the South Carolina Department of Environmental Control, (SCHEC).
Entry level electronic devices that measure radon can be purchased online for several hundred dollars. There are not “industry approved devices” because they cannot generate a printout of the hour by hour readings they record, they only provide the reading for the current hour AND the average for the time period tested.
Certified radon professionals can be engaged who use “high end equipment” for real estate transactions that are 4-5 times more sensitive (they take more samples per hour) and in addition to hourly samples for radon, they also take hourly readings for temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. The certified professional uses this information to help determine IF the test was valid AND they are needed by radon mitigation professional to help assess the course of action needed to fix a problem.
