Radon is one of the most hazardous naturally occurring gases, especially for nonsmokers in the United States and Canada. Since radon is odorless, colorless, and utterly invisible to the human eye, it is impossible to detect without the assistance of an expert known as the radon contractors. Aside from hiring radon experts, you may also use a radon testing kit. However, doing so raises the question of whether the radon tests’ findings can be trusted.

Radon Tests: Accurate or Not?

One of the most frequent questions, in particular, is if radon tests can be wrong. The answer is YES, as errors can occur with any form of test. Still, the chance of an erroneous radon level measurement varies depending on various circumstances present in the place where radon gas is available. 

Types of Radon Testing

Radon testing also has types, namely the short-term and long-term radon tests. Short and long-term tests both detect radon levels; however, the accuracy varies depending on the length of the test. A short-term test helps determine your present radon levels; however, these levels might change owing to a variety of causes, such as:

• Barometric pressure
• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system
• House construction
• Improper placement of the device
• Rain-soaked ground
• Temperature/Season

Short-term radon tests are sufficient for most homes, but a long-term radon test is more trustworthy if you are worried about accuracy. The issue with long-term testing is that the findings take over 90 days to come back. Another thing to keep in mind is that radon tests may be done with either radon test kits or by hiring a professional radon contractor. While test kits are not inherently incorrect, the findings provided by a competent radon contractor will always be the most accurate.

During a radon test, two main mistakes might occur:

False Positive

Your home may test higher than four pCi/L, although the long-term average is below it. This might lead to you purchasing a radon mitigation system that isn’t necessary; any amount of radon is harmful, and a radon mitigation system is rarely a waste of money, especially given the inexpensive installation cost. As a result, this is arguably the least hazardous error.

False Negative

This is a far more hazardous result that occurs when your house tests below the action threshold of 4 pCi/L but is greater on average. This may lead to you failing to install a radon mitigation system when one is required. This is why, if your radon levels are between 2 and 4 pCi/L, the Environmental Protection Agency still highly advises you to install a radon mitigation system.

What is the Best Way to Do?

The terrible reality is that no system is flawless, and there is always space for error. With that stated, there are a few things you can do to ensure you obtain the most reliable results:

• Work with a professional. If at all feasible, hire an experienced radon contractor. While test kits aren’t bad, expert testing is always more accurate, and they can adjust for any interference.

• Consider long-term radon tests. A long-term test will provide you with a more realistic average radon level if you’re concerned about fluctuations. 

• Test again. If you’re using a short-term test kit, repeat the procedure. This can be done at the same time as the initial test or shortly after that. Even if you decide to have a radon mitigation system built, it’s a good idea to double-check that it’s operating correctly.

Installing a radon mitigating system is highly recommended if you have any radon level above 2.0 pCi/L. However, any amount of radon is harmful; therefore, investing in a radon mitigation system is never a bad idea. Make sure to conduct radon tests or hire a radon contractor if you don’t want to risk your family’s health.