TESTING YOUR HOME FOR RADON
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Keep scrolling down for links to NH DHHS Radon information and FREE Testing Kits for NH residents.
What is radon?
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Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms when tiny amounts of uranium in soil and rock break down. You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it.
It moves up through the ground and into buildings through small cracks and gaps, or exposed soil. Radon can easily build up indoors now because of the way modern homes are sealed and insulated.
Over long periods of time, breathing in high levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, according to national health agencies like the American Lung Association.
Why should I test my home?
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Testing is the only way to know your radon level. Because radon is invisible and odorless, you can’t tell it’s there without a proper test.
Here’s why testing is important:
Every home can have radon — levels vary from house to house, even on the same street.
Long-term radon exposure is linked with increased lung cancer risk. The risk grows with higher radon levels and longer exposure.
Testing is quick, inexpensive, and the first step to understanding and improving your indoor air quality.
Because conditions in a home can change (new HVAC systems, renovations, changes in how the basement is used), radon levels can also change over time which means retesting every 2–5 years is a good idea.
How do I test my home?
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Testing your home is very straightforward and easy. You have two main options:
DIY Test Kits
Available online, at hardware stores, or through the state. See below for the link to request a free radon test kit through the New Hampshire Radon Program.
There are short-term kits (usually 2–90 days) for a quick check and long-term kits (more than 90 days) that give a better sense of your year-round average radon level. In addition, there are also digital monitors that can read levels and give you better insight day-to-day for peace of mind.
Place the test or monitor in the lowest level of your home where people spend time (like a finished basement room), follow the instructions that came with the kit, and send it to the lab for analysis.
Professional Testing
A certified radon tester uses specialized equipment and follows EPA protocols. Precision Radon does not offer professional testing. However, we can provide free test kits upon initial consultation as well as after installation of a system to ensure your radon levels have dropped.
It is important to note that someone who tests levels professionally may also offer radon installations but it may be a conflict of interest - considering the tester could tell you your levels were high when they were not, or recommend extra mitigation options that you as a homeowner may not need.
What do the results mean?
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Radon levels are reported in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). Here’s how to understand the numbers:
Less than 2 pCi/L:
Considered low. No immediate action is typically needed, but testing again in a few years is wise.2 to 4 pCi/L:
This range suggests moderate radon levels. You may want to consider mitigation (reducing the radon) depending on your household’s health concerns and preferences.4 pCi/L or higher:
This is the EPA’s “action level.” It doesn’t mean immediate danger, but it does mean you should take steps to reduce radon levels, usually by installing a mitigation system.
After mitigation, retesting ensures the system is working and that indoor radon is lowered. We will provide you with a free testing kit after installation.
Testing Kits in NH
If you are a resident of the state of New Hampshire, the Department of Health and Human Services provides testing kits for free.
Learn more here: DHHS Radon Testing
Request your free kit here: DHHS FREE TEST KIT