How many days do you keep the radon test in the home? And then how many days until you have the results? I ask you this because in my area it is a 2 week ordeal is this across the board.

Rebecca,

The EPA testing protocols for real estate transactions are a minimum of 48 hours. To leave a test in a home longer than 48 hours will require certain types of testing devices. Not all testing devices can be used for a period longer than 2-4 days. Your State may have a regulation that requires a longer testing period.

I use only continuous radon monitors which are electronic and can be left in the home indefinitely. One very nice feature of these devices is the results are immediate upon completion of the test. Visit my web site browse through the radon information pages, you should find more info on these devices.

You can leave many radon testing devices for as long as you want,  as long as it is over 48 hours.  48 hours is for "Real Estate" transactions.  E-Perms are great for long term testing.

If they are sent to a lab, the lab needs to have the start, finish times and dates.  Then they calculate the amount of decay products collected based on the time of exposure. 

If you are using folks who are still using canisters for radon testing, you need to find another testing company.  The EPA test (which is for real estate transactions) requires 48 hours.  If the person is using a CRM or an E-Perm the results are available shortly after the test.  All they have to do is read the machine or the E-Perm device. 

Scott,

That is not true, all charcoal type testing devices are for short term test and usually good for no more than 4 days max. After that they are over exposed and no good. E-perms are also generally for short term test, but can be left for longer periods than charcoal type type detection devices. The E-Perms charge will completely deplete over a long exposure and thus be inaccurate. However this is not a likely occurrence during real estate transactions.

Continuous monitors do not have these draw backs. They can be left for any length of time and will accurately record the radon level. They can be set up to register data points at intervals of one hour to one day, making them a viable testing device for longer term testing (over 90 days). Also they incorporate motion sensor to detect test interference and the data is recorded and displayed for the entire test period. This allows for analysis of the test data for anomalies that could indicate testing condition compromise.

The preferred method for long term testing (91days to one year) are Alpha track detectors. These are inexpensive passive type detectors specifically for long term testing.

James,

Not to debate you on this, you are most likely correct.  I only use the CRM and it has been a few years since my cert class, and I'm due for my CE this year.

Without digging all of my books and stuff out, I could have sworn that a charcol pan could be used for up to 90 days and an E-Perm for about the same amount of time.  The charge on an E-Perm would decrease over time, but I thought they were good for around 20-25 test without sending them back for a recharge.

Anyway, always use a CRM for your testing!

Scott,

The charcoal canisters I have used in the past were good for up to a 3 day exposure, after that time they were over exposed. The charcoal liquid scintillation type I have seen are a 4 day exposure. I'm not that familiar with the E-perm. I was told by an inspector here that they have a short shelf life, (discharge) and what I have been taught in my training is they are strictly for short term testing, but yes you can leave them for quite a while with out compromising the accuracy of the test.

I also only use CRMs. It's the absolute best way to test for radon.

James, I completely agree with you on this.  I'm happy to meet the inspector at the house to let them in to do the drop off and pick up, but I will never do the actual pick up for them.

Amy,

You or any Realtor should never have to do the home inspectors job. I have been offered by Realtors to pick up a test as a favor because of my scheduling. I thank them and tell them that it is my job and I will pick it up later.

It irks me that home inspectors charge premium prices for radon testing and then have the client or their Realtor pick up the test. Where's the service they have charged the client for?

Radon Testing and Mitigation are licensed Business activities in PA.

To verify Certification and protocol.....

 http://www.dep.state.pa.us/dep/deputate/airwaste/rp/radon_division/Rn_Services_Directory/Directory_Mainpage.htm

Go here;

http://www.nj.gov/dep/rpp/radon/homebs.htm

 7th paragraph down clearly defines what a seller or realtor can do (NOTHING)

 Darren