How are indoor radon levels measured?
There are two principle radon testing methods for home use. The most commonly used method is the short-term charcoal canister test that passively absorbs small amounts of radon over 3 to 7 days. The canister is subsequently analyzed by an EPA-approved lab. The other method is a long-term (1 month to 1 year) alpha-track test that detects radiation from radon and is then analyzed by an EPA-approved lab. Because radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test may be less likely to provide accurate results.
