Different radon detection methods

The type of radon detection system you should purchase depends on the purpose, the desired speed of results, and accuracy. To simplify, radon detection has historically been separated into short-term and long-term tests according to Oregon Public Health. However, with more advanced technology, digital solutions have made testing for radon more convenient and accurate.

Short-term radon detection

Short-term radon detection is suitable if you need a speedy answer that will take between 2 days and 3 months. For instance, you can use it after buying a house to check if you need radon mitigation work. These types use charcoal based methods to absorb the radon gas which is later resealed and returned to the vendor or lab for evaluation.

The main advantage of this is speed as it takes less than 90 days for the results which make it significantly faster than long-term methods. However, it still takes a long time to get the results back from the lab. These kits are also cheap and can cost anything from $10 to $30 per kit. The problem (as mentioned in an earlier post) is that they are unreliable due to the vulnerability for errors. For instance, different temperatures and humidity levels might cause sensitivity issues within the products. Furthermore, it does not give an average radon level which makes it less accurate due to the fluctuating levels of radon throughout the year(s) (illustrated in the image below).

Long-term radon detection

As mentioned by Oregon Public Health,  these radon detectors are usually based on Alpha-Track Detection (AT) method. They use containers that enclose small sheets of special plastic material to detect radiation. In short, the alpha particles emitted by the radon gas will leave tracks on these plastic sheets for later evaluation. This process may take anything from 3 months up to a year depending on the product.

Since these methods are used for the long-term, it provides more accurate readings than the short-term methods as it measures the average radon levels. However, the accuracy varies from product to product. The problem with these products is also the length of time it takes to get the results. Furthermore, similar to short-term methods, it is also inconvenient as you need to return items for processing and evaluation.

Digital solutions: the future of radon detection

Although the «old school» methods of radon detection have worked in the past, the hassle of returning items to the vendor takes both time and effort. In other words, it becomes less convenient to measure radon. By digitalizing radon detection, Airthings have created a solution that combines the advantages of these methods while making it more convenient for the end user.

The advantage here is that you can use these products for both short-term and long-term measurement purposes. If you are looking for short-term solutions, you can get an answer with Airthings Wave within 2 hours or within 24 hours for Home. Moreover, for long-term purposes, it can measure radon levels continuously thereby giving you up-to-date results so that fluctuating radon levels do not become a problem. There is also a wide range of products giving you the flexibility of choice. For instance, if you would like to measure radon levels in each room you can use products such as Home. Although these types of products tend to be somewhat pricey, they are designed to last up to 10 years. In other words, there is a trade-off between the price (equivalent to around 8 long-term test kits) and all the benefits listed in the diagram below.

In a nutshell: Pros & cons of radon detection systems 

What should I do if radon levels are too high?

Once you have found the right type of radon detection system for your purpose, the next logical question is: what is an acceptable range and what should you do if they are too high? More information about radon levels and how to respond can be found here.

Sources

Alvarez,  J. L. (1990). «Analytic Procedures and Comparisons». Radon.com. Accessed from: http://www.radon.com/radon_analysis/. Retrieved 14 June 2017

EPA (n.d.). «Health Risk of Radon». EPA.gov. Accessed from: https://www.epa.gov/radon/health-risk-radon. Retrieved 14 June 2017.

Kristiansen, C. (2017). «Charcoal Versus Airthings – Accuracy». Airthings.com. Accessed from: http://airthings.co.kr/charcoal-versus-airthings-accuracy/. Retrieved 14 June 2017.

Kristiansen, C. (2017). «How to respond to your radon levels». Airthings.com. Accessed from: http://airthings.co.kr/how-to-respond-to-your-radon-levels/. Retrieved 14 June 2017.

Oregon Public Health (n.d.) «Type of Radon Gas testing». Oregon.gov. Accessed from: https://public.health.oregon.gov/HealthyEnvironments/HealthyNeighborhoods/RadonGas/Pages/typesofradontesting.aspx. Retrieved 14 June 2017.

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How Accurate are Airthings Radon Detectors Compared to Charcoal Test Kits? We often get questions about the accuracy of Charcoal versus Digital. Here is a quick summary of our response:

Charcoal: Results are vulnerable to environmental elements, the tests are prone to user error, and they provide no visibility into fluctuations. Radon labs who handle the tests have no regulatory oversight and studies show that commercial laboratories are prone to errors.

Airthings Digital Detectors: Vigorously tested before going to market using an industry-standard Alphaguard Professional monitor as a reference device. Detectors show how levels fluctuate over time. The company is open about the error rates and accuracy for each product. It is easier to notice if there is a measurement error due to the instant and continuous readings.

Do not use charcoal as a “truth” or reference with which to compare an Airthings monitor to get a feel for accuracy. Charcoal tests will often show wrong radon levels.

Overview

There are two ways to test for radon levels: passive and active monitors. Charcoal test kits passively monitor levels of radon. These kits are placed in an area to be tested for a pre-determined period of time, anywhere from 48 hours to 3 months. The kits contain a canister with charcoal, an extremely absorbent material because it’s made from carbon, a reactive element. Radon gas will react with the charcoal, and once the test is completed, the canister is sent to a lab to analyze the results.

Constant, or active monitors, have a power source which measures the alpha decay of two isotopes of radon. Because Airthings radon detectors constantly monitor, they’re considered «active». These detectors give a reading of the amount of radon in the air without having to be sent away.

How to Determine Accuracy

First, it’s important to understand that because radon is a gas, it’s very dynamic. Radon levels can fluctuate at the drop of a hat. There are a variety of things that can affect the concentration of the gas, including weather and seasonal changes.

In a 2009 study by the Canadian National Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health (NCCEH), they researched the effectiveness of various indoor radon testing methods. It offered great insights into the fluctuation.

«Diurnal patterns in outdoor and indoor radon levels also occur and are largely attributed to temperature and negative pressure changes within a dwelling. It is not unusual for radon levels to fluctuate by a factor of 2-3 over a 24-hour period.

Accuracy and precision are not synonymous. Precision is the closeness of two measurements to each other. For example, if you weigh something six separate times and get 7.3 grams each time, you have a very precise measurement. Accuracy, on the other hand, is the closeness of a measured value to a known or standard value. So if one item was measured at 7.3 grams each time, but actually weighed 10.8 grams, it would be a very precise, but an inaccurate measurement. So, accuracy is of the utmost importance. If you’re a more visual person, check out this video about precision and accuracy:

In the case of radon detectors, the reference device used as the «truth of truths» when it comes to measuring radon levels is an expensive AlphaGuard professional radon detector. This device is a professional-grade monitor, known for its extreme accuracy. Most new devices on the market are tested against the results of the AlphaGuard. If a charcoal canister tests an area at 140 Bq/m³ (Becquerels/meter), and an AlphaGuard test spits out results of 180 Bq/m³, the charcoal kit results are most likely inaccurate.

Are Charcoal Test Kit Results Reliable? 

Charcoal test kits are vulnerable to user errors. As previously mentioned, charcoal is a very active compound. Since it absorbs radon, it can absorb other things as well. Moisture wreaks havoc on charcoal kit test results. If a canister is not properly sealed, humidity can permeate the chamber where the charcoal is housed.

When a can isn’t sealed well, it can continue absorbing other elements, which leads to inaccurate results. A 2006 University of Iowa study concluded,

«because charcoal-based detectors allow continued adsorption and desorption of radon, the method does not provide a true, integrated measurement over the measurement period…It is well known that the results from charcoal adsorption detectors are often weighted more by the radon concentrations toward the end of the exposure»

In addition to improper sealing, other possible user errors include placing the canister in an incorrect location, leaving windows open during the test, or testing for too long or too short of a period of time.

When the test is complete, it’s sent off to a lab. At this stage, more problems can arise. In order to understand these issues, though, it’s important to hear a bit of history. You’d like to think the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the authority with ultimate oversight over the rules and regulations with regard to radon laboratories. Well, it’s not. In fact, nobody truly oversees commercial radon testing labs. The 1988 Indoor Radon Abatement Act tasked the EPA with establishing proficiency at radon-related companies, with regard to testing.

A decade later, however, this oversight ceased to exist. While AARST / NRPP and similar bodies do test the accuracy of digital devices for the professional market (used by home inspectors and radon professionals), there is no equivalent testing of laboratories targeting regular consumers. Naturally, that can create a breeding ground for inaccurate lab results. Labs aren’t required to have any type of certification. If someone really wanted, he could open a radon laboratory business and never have to prove any knowledge or expertise.

In fact, a 2009 memo from the Office of Inspector General (OIG) relayed the results of a study covering the EPA’s oversight of radon testing.

Laboratories […] were sent a small number of passive 48-hour test devices for the purpose of estimating analytical precision and accuracy […] A laboratory is considered proficient in radon testing when all of the results in a batch of performance tests are within 25 percent of the reference value.

According to this study:

• Six of 14 laboratories (43 percent) were not proficient in radon testing in batch 1.
• Four of 14 laboratories (29 percent) were not proficient in radon testing in batch 2.

Since there is no oversight, it’s clear many radon labs have issues regarding providing the correct results for short-term tests.

In fact, the research sheds light on the use of short-term testing. The NCCEH study previously referenced, concluded,

«short-term testing can be used for preliminary crude screening of the effectiveness of radon remediation/prevention work already undertaken. Regardless, long-term testing should be subsequently carried out for confirmation.

It went further, asserting, «controlled tests have found charcoal canisters, alpha-track, and electric detectors to all produce reasonably accurate short-term results.» That is to say, other tests are more accurate than charcoal kits, but they are still a reasonable way to test for radon. Charcoal tests kits are, of course, extremely affordable if you only buy one or two of them.

Issues With Independent Studies

With so many issues surrounding inaccurate lab results, the next logical step would be to perform independent studies. While they certainly exist, they are few and far between. That is to say, not many independent studies occur for charcoal test kits. Actually, the aforementioned OIG memo even mentioned this, «prior to the recent studies, published studies examining the accuracy and precision of commercially available short-term radon detectors were rare.» Few scientists or labs choose to undertake this type of research. Thankfully, though, more studies have recently been undertaken.

That same OIG memo mentioned,

«A 2006 study found that devices for five of six companies failed EPA’s 25-percent relative error accuracy guideline. A 2008 study found that radon testing devices for three of seven companies failed the same accuracy guideline, even under ideal conditions of constant temperature, humidity, and radon concentration.

So, even with perfect testing conditions, many radon test kits fail. The University of Iowa study concurred,

Five of the six companies tested did not pass the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s previously established accuracy guideline…and four of the six companies failed the EPA’s precision guideline [coefficient of variation < 10% at 150 Bq/m³ (4 pCi/L)].

The NCCEH study, of course, concluded that short-term tests are good as a baseline. In the end, though, long-term tests are required for truly accurate results.

Thanks to the combination of both infrequent and mostly short-term research, it is quite apparent that independent studies generally do not provide an abundance of information. They lack depth, based solely on the quantity of research. Data about the accuracy of charcoal tests essentially states that the kits are inaccurate, but few tests have been performed to truly verify this assertion.

The Accuracy of Airthings Radon Detectors

Quick math lesson! When graphing a series of results, it usually shows up in the shape of a bell, known as a bell curve. The center of the curve is considered the average. As you move away from the center of the bell, you’ll encounter a measurement less and less frequently. On the flip side, the closer you move to the average, the more often you’ll encounter a measurement. 

A standard deviation is a specific measurement demarcating the percentage of overall measurements taken. One standard deviation contains 68% of all measurements, two standard deviations contain 95% of all measurements, while three standard deviations contain 99.7% of all measurements. So, the more deviations out, the less frequently you’ll happen upon that data point. In the case of radon, the further away you move from the average (the more deviations), you’ll encounter a given measurement of the radioactive gas less frequently. These «less frequent» measurements are considered the extremes. 

Within the first week, the accuracy levels of Airthings’s two residential devices (Wave and Home) are within 20% at one standard deviation, measured at 100 Bq/m³. After a month, the accuracy increases drastically to within 10% at one standard deviation, measured at 100 Bq/m³. As the device gathers data, the accuracy of readings increases drastically. Airthings’s Professional devices, Plus and Pro, provide very high levels of accuracy. The Plus measures at just 12% accuracy after a week and 9% after a month, measured at 50-to-350 Bq/m³. The Pro boasts an impressive 7% accuracy after 24-hours and less-than-5% after a week.

All Airthings detectors have been tested directly against the AlphaGuard reference device. Because it’s a professional detector with high accuracy and sensitivity, it is the gold standard to which radon detectors or tests are held.

Independent study of Airthings accuracy
In 2016, EPA Ireland conducted a 1-4 week intercomparison study between radon measurement devices. Among the tested units were Atmos 12 dpx, RAD7, RStone, Sun Nuclear 1028, Ramon 2.2, Airthings Home (Canary) and CR-39. The Airthings Home (Canary) performed very well in this independent study. After 4 weeks of testing, the Home was within ± 10% of the actual radon level. The Home became the number one recommended low-cost radon testing device in the study.

What to Look for When Purchasing Radon Detectors

You’ve finally reached the point where you’d like to purchase a radon test or detector. It can be overwhelming, but there are a few key things to look for in a company that sells radon testing equipment. Since the industry itself is unregulated, you want the company you’re considering to be very up front about information.

1. Companies should transparent about the accuracy of their product. Any company selling radon tests should be well aware of any discrepancies or potential inaccuracies that may arise. Because nobody is there to enforce these rules, a company should provide that information as a way to «prove» they are reliable. They’ve taken the steps to display their expertise and knowledge about radon and the industry. If a company does not disclose how accurate their devices or tests are, consider it a red flag. No commercially available radon test is 100% accurate.

2. Another important factor to take into account is a company’s reputation. There are big names out there, and quite frankly, they’re well-known for a reason. On the other hand, there are smaller companies with phenomenal reputations—even if they’re not front-of-mind. Reputation is key, so make sure to do your research. Yelp, Google, Amazon, and Facebook are all great resources to find reviews.

To Sum It Up

Regardless of whether you choose to purchase a charcoal test kit or an active monitor, ensure the company knows what they’re doing. Both routes will give you information about levels of radon in a space, but active monitors are generally more accurate in nature because there are less potential problems with user and lab errors. Determine which one is the best for you! Your safety is number one, so research prior to making any big radon-related decisions. 

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Customer Reviews of Airthings’ Radon Monitor

One overwhelming theme we saw from reading reviews of the Airthings detector is that people appreciate the simple fact that it works at what it’s supposed to do:

“This device works great and is giving the correct reading which matched the charcoal canister reading”

“This one is rock solid, agrees with the professional tests, and doesn’t require such frequent calibration.”

“I highly recommend this unit and will probably never purchase a expensive commercial unit”

“Excellent addition to your home’s safety equipment.”

While the fact that it «simply works» is significant, it’s an introduction to understanding why Airthings is ranked as the best-seller. So we kept digging and we found that in addition to its accuracy, customers also appreciate the detector’s simple setup process and the fact that it provides initial readings in a matter of hours:

“Works great! Super easy!! Very happy”

“Had the device set up in less than 2 mins”

“working just as described in the guide, with readings within 2-3 hours of set up”

To many customers, radon monitors seem technical and therefore daunting. So, it is a relief for those customers who were expecting it to be complicated to have a device arrive that is both simple to setup and quick to show a reaching.

But the most significant theme we noticed in reviews of the Airthings detector is that its unique features help people stay safe:

“We had it for 1 week & found out the Radon Gas is extremely high in our home.”

“We have found that we do have a high level of radon in our house.”

“I didn’t realize that the radon levels could be significantly different from room to room! This literally may have saved the life of one (or all) of our children”

Before using the Airthings radon monitor, these customers were not aware of the high radon levels in their home. But this detector’s features–it’s readout, accuracy, portability, and consistent readings over time–all helped these people protect themselves and their families from radon.

Let’s look at how these features in particular compare with the features of other radon detectors.

Features of a Digital Radon Monitor

Readout

Radon monitor readouts tend to be simple digital numbers and show one reading at a time, such as the short-term radon amount. The Airthings unit’s readout is different, with a simple display that shows both the long-term and short-term average radon levels in your home. In this way it is the only detector that allows you to monitor in one look the short and long term radon levels in your home. 

Accuracy

The Airthings unit is calibrated to be on-par with the industry standard, which is a traditional but time consuming and non-reusable charcoal radon test. Customers have found that the Airthings unit lives up to this standard.

“In the end our home tested high for radon and this device not only let me know that but was absolutely dead on with the numbers.”

“This device works great and is giving the correct reading which matched the charcoal canister reading…”

Portability

Radon monitors need power to run, and they get that power either through a plug in the wall or a set of batteries. A battery-powered radon detector lets you reposition it in different rooms throughout your house. This is advantageous because whether you conduct short- or long-term radon tests, it’s important to understand how radon levels change throughout your home. That is the drawback of having a detector that relies on a plug in the wall: you might not be able to test in certain spots in your home.

Year-to-Year Consistency

Some radon monitors require yearly calibration, a process you must pay someone to perform. This means you might have a lower initial cost to purchase the base unit but if you want to continue to monitor radon levels in your home (which you should as they change constantly), you need to pay. Reviewers for this type of radon detector have lamented this fact in their product reviews:

“Beware of the hidden costs… I’ve had [a non-Airthings] detector for over 3 years now and it’s true what they say about it needing calibration every year.”

The Airthings reader, on the other hand, does not need to be calibrated. It remains accurate and calibrated year after year. So you can either have a long-term unit that needs calibration, a Airthings unit that is a one-time purchase, or you can purchase a one-time radon test kit every year. Buying a one-time test kit every year would be better than nothing because it means you’re keeping track of your home’s radon levels, but you would spend a lot of money. One Airthings customer did just that and realized they could have saved themselves a lot over the long term by using a long-term unit:

“Wasted a lot of time and money on one time testers… [the Airthings unit] Worked perfect out of the box and continues to do so today.”

Summary

In purchasing a radon monitor, there shouldn’t be anything that comes between you and actually using the detector to keep you safe. This is why we think customers have made the Airthings Digital Radon Detector a best-seller. Through our research we have found that other detectors on the market have one or more of these faults:

• A limited readout
• Inaccurate and therefore untrustworthy readings
• Lack of portability
• The need to continually pay to have your detector calibrated

All of these interfere with your ability to actually use your device and stay safe.

The Airthings detector, however, avoids these flaws with a simple readout, both short- and long-term readings, consistent accuracy, battery-powered portability, and no need to calibrate the device.

The post Radon Monitor – The Best Rated Digital Radon Monitor appeared first on Airthings.

What Goes Into the Best Radon Detector

The best radon detectors must foremost be accurate, and then other features become important such as portability within the home, displaying both long and short-term readings, and how long you can use it reliably. There’s also the simple but relevant feature of being attractive; it’s easier to keep active in your living space if you can stand to look at it, and even more so if you like how it looks.

So, when a radon detector is “best,” it must have a lot going for it. There are many factors that companies can optimize for that could make consumers love their product.

What is the best radon detector, then? According to consumer reviews and purchase habits on Amazon, the Airthings Home 223 Radon Detector is the #1 best seller in the radon detector category. With over 100 5-star reviews, consumers have made it clear that this is the radon detector they prefer.

We are, of course, biased. We make the Airthings Home Radon Detector. Nonetheless, we want to examine what specifically consumers love about our radon detector and reveal the different features people find useful.

Inside Scoop on Radon Detectors

Don’t worry, we know technical details can get very boring very fast. We’re going to keep this discussion limited to what you want to know: important features of the best radon detectors, how they make your life better, and why customers like them.

First of all, the Airthings detector is different from traditional radon test kits. “Test kit” is different from “detector” for a reason. A test kit is a single-use tool that is similar to old school film: exposure to light causes an image on the film. In the case of the test kit, exposure to radiation causes a chemical change in the test kit, creating a “radon picture” which can then be analyzed. These test kits must be left in a room for months to make sure they have the proper amount of exposure to the air in the room. Costs for these kits are not excessive; you can get a reliable test kit for as little as $30. Keep in mind, though, that $30 only covers one test, and only in one room. This kit is analog, which is to say it does not have a clear readout or display, so you won’t know your radon levels until the test is complete and has been analyzed.

Radon detectors, on the other hand, detect and display the amount of radon in a room. They monitor radon levels, meaning they give you a constant awareness of how much radon you have in your home. This is advantageous because you are able to assess the situation, test different rooms, and monitor the effects of any action you take to remove radon from your home all with the same device. The Airthings Home radon detector is about $200 to a one-time test kit’s $30, but consumers have found the price to be justified. The device lets you test radon in multiple different rooms over as long or short a time period as you’d like (with accurate readings taking at least about a week). You can conduct nonstop tests and monitor different rooms at different times of the year–flexibility that would cost you many hundreds of dollars and be much more time-intensive if you used test kits. In this way, a test kit is good as an initial foray into radon testing, but a radon detector is the only feasible solution for people who want to make sure they are not living among radon gas in their home.

The Airthings Home detector digitizes what is traditionally an analog process; it gives users the accuracy of a test kit and the convenience of a digital tool. Other detectors do something similar, but they do not match the Airthings unit for a number of reasons. At its most basic, the team of physicists behind the Airthings detector have created a new, more efficient way to detect radon; one that is accurate, uses little energy, and is dependable over time.

The Airthings team is able to innovate on accuracy, energy use, and dependability because they are radiation and instruments experts. As former CERN physicists they saw a way to make analog-level radon detection digital, and they spent many late nights making it a reality. The team also features an expert from Texas Instruments whose specialty is in low-energy tech products, meaning the Airthings Home detector is optimized to run on very little battery power. For example, the device runs on three AAA batteries that will last as long as two years without replacement. The product initially came to market in 2011, and in the short time since then has become Amazon’s best selling radon detector. The only way that could happen is if it truly is better than the detectors it was built to replace.

Radon detectors are also preferred to test kits because they can tell you when radon levels in your home undergo change. Radon is a gas; it ebbs and flows based on a number of different factors. But this means an analog test kit, while accurate, could only show you radon levels at a certain time. At another time of year, your radon levels could be much higher or lower. Different countries have different “action levels” of radon, which is the point at which there is too much radon in your home and you should seek radon mitigation. If you are not monitoring radon actively, you might not notice when radon levels surge, putting your home above the action level. A radon detector, on the other hand, is always watching for you. It’s similar to a smoke detector in this way: it senses the environment for danger so you don’t have to.

How Radon Detectors Work

The Airthings Home detector monitors radon by sensing what are called alpha particles. Alpha particles are emitted as by the radioactive gas radon, and the Airthings device has a sensor calibrated to detect alpha particles. This sensor, called a photodiode, is the digital version of film, creating a “radon picture” from how many particles impact the sensor. But you can’t just have any old photodiode in a detector and accurately gauge radon levels. There are many different particles that could “trigger” the sensor, so it must be specially designed to only register relevant particles. To rule out irrelevant particle impressions, the Airthings team developed a proprietary algorithm that allows the device to be sensitive to radon but not other particle “noise.” Consumers have verified in their Amazon reviews that this algorithm has made the Airthings device “accurate compared to a charcoal test.”

Another way the Airthings device is optimized for accuracy is in the physical design of its detection chamber. This chamber is where the detector analyzes your home’s air. Chrome is used in the chamber, which is constructed in such a way that it is a sort of cage against which unwanted particles are barred. Air is allowed to pass through a 0.2 mm space and thereby carry radon to the detector. What’s more, the chamber holds and analyzes air in 30 minute increments, using just 25 cubic centimeters to analyze the entire room. These design features allow the radon detector to render accurate readings for years. At the same time, they mean the device gets a more accurate reading and in less time than some radon test kits, with results displaying on the device after just one week. The device is able to give you a reading within a couple hours of use, although this is still regarded as insufficient time to analyze air quality in an entire room or basement.

Radon detectors should not only be accurate, they should also be dependable over the long term. This takes a high degree of quality control and attention to detail to ensure that the device is not going to lose accuracy or require maintenance after a year of use. Other radon detectors require just that: calibration every year, which forces you to spend much more on your detector over the long term than you should have to. This is one reason people have made the Airthings Home detector a best seller. The instruments are calibrated in advanced radon labs, making sure your device gives you the best results.

Why Radon Detectors Matter

Radon is radioactive, which means it gives off radiation. It is part of what’s called a “decay chain” that starts with solid radioactive materials like uranium (most common). Uranium eventually turns into lead, but on its way from uranium to lead it goes through many intermediate steps, one of which is radon gas. As elements decay they emit alpha particles, which is what a radon detector looks for. But alpha particles are pretty weak; they can’t go through thin solids like paper or leather.

At this point you may think to yourself, “So I can just wear more clothes and protect myself from radon?” Unfortunately, no. Radon’s alpha particles can’t penetrate leather, but they do penetrate the thin tissue on the inside of your lungs, at which point they mess with your cellular DNA. All it takes is breathing in these particles to put yourself at greater risk of damaging your lung tissue. Of course, breathing in a few of these particles is fine and actually normal. But breathing in a lot of these particles can damage your lung tissue and lead to lung cancer.

Radon decay is the main source of airborne alpha particles, but it also creates other radioactive materials you might come into contact with. Just as uranium decays and turns into other elements, so too does radon turn into other elements. Specifically, radon turns into polonium-218 and eventually polonium-214. These are tiny solids that bind to dust and smoke particles. And because they are solid they can stay in the lungs for much longer than radon tends to stay in the lungs.

Thus, detecting radon is important to protect your lung tissue from alpha particles in the short term and from radioactive solids in the long term. Both of these can lead to cancer, and because of the fact that radon gas levels ebb and flow over the course of a year it makes sense to get a radon detector to make sure the air you’re breathing is safe.

Radon gas is not to be taken lightly. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 41,000 people die from radon-related lung cancer in Europe and the US every year.

Summary

Radon detectors have a lot of advantages over the effective but single-use test kit alternatives. If you plan to conduct multiple radon tests or want to monitor radon levels in your home, a radon detector is the cheapest option, and one that doesn’t require calibration each year will save you even more money.

The post Radon Detector – How We Make the Corentium Home appeared first on Airthings.

Radon is a major concern for homeowners. Not all homeowners know about the danger of radon, but the word is getting out and more and more are rightly seeking to understand the level of radon in their homes. This trend will only increase over time, as people become aware of the dangers of radon and share it with others.

The main concern for homeowners is the link between radon and lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States behind smoking. But radon is not something homeowners are often comfortable to detect on their own. This has changed somewhat in recent years with the introduction of easy to use and accurate home radon detectors, but on the whole homeowners like to rely on a professional radon detector to get an accurate picture of radon in their homes. Many US states also mandate a radon test during real estate transactions with an AARST-NRPP certified radon detector. Radon professionals and home inspectors seek to meet this demand with professionalism, and the current state of the professional radon detector market makes that difficult. Professional radon detectors are traditionally not very portable, and the design and usability is clunky. In addition, the devices often they lack robust analytics or reporting. This is why a team of physicists formerly from CERN  created the Corentium Pro professional radon detector.

A Professional Radon Detector Built by Top Scientists

The Corentium Pro radon detector builds on the success of the Corentium Home model, which consumers have made an Amazon Best-Seller thanks to its accuracy, ease of use, and portability. To create the Corentium Pro, the Corentium team identified the most successful elements of the Home model, analyzed the unique needs of a radon professional and home inspector, and designed a technologically superior radon detector for professional, continuous use. It has built-in redundancy to make sure your readings are accurate, it is portable, it comes with deep analytics software, and it integrates with your mobile device to produce branded reports on demand.

Let’s look at what makes the Corentium Pro stand out among other professional radon detectors.

Corentium Pro – Built for Professionals

The Corentium Pro and best-selling Corentium Home units were designed by a specialized team of physicists and engineers who uniquely understand what it takes to make a truly exceptional device. The result is a light, professional radon detector with unparalleled accuracy and dependability, coupled with low energy use and battery power. The Corentium team is made up of scientists from the world-renowned particle accelerator at CERN who left that post to leverage their radiation and detection expertise in the private sector. Their mission: make the analog style of radon detection available in a simple, consistent, and portable digital device. It took many months, but they were able to do just that. In addition, the Corentium devices are built to require as little power as possible but still deliver lab quality results. The Corentium Pro can run for up to 1.5 years on one set of batteries. All this to say, the Corentium line of radon detectors has an unmatched team who set out to make analog-quality radon results digitally available, and succeeded. The success of the Corentium Home unit is evidence, and the new Corentium Pro detector will only serve to solidify their expertise in radon detection.

Accuracy: Proprietary Chamber Design

The Corentium team has taken their best-selling radon detection chamber technology and built it up to suit the needs of radon professionals. The detectors works by detecting alpha particles emitted as a product of radon’s radioactivity. Alpha particles hit the Corentium detector, a photodiode, which is effectively a digital film that is able to create a picture of radon in the testing environment based on how many impacts are registered by the sensor. The problem with photodiode technology is that there are several different things that could impact the sensor and cause a false reading. This is where the Corentium detector sets itself apart: its cagelike design traps air through an entrance that is only big enough to allow relevant particles into the chamber. At the same time, the Corentium team uses a proprietary algorithm to rule out irrelevant particle impacts. This makes the device extremely sensitive, but only to the relevant alpha particles. 

The chamber, which is only 0.2mm wide at its entrance, holds air for 30 minutes at a time. This allows the device to take a 25 cubic centimeter of air and use it to analyze the gas composition of an entire room. The Corentium chamber, unlike other radon detectors, remains accurate for years. In addition, the chamber allows Corentium devices to get more accurate readings in less time than other radon detecting devices. This unique chamber design is one factor that has made Corentium detectors best sellers. Adding to its ability to give accurate readings, every device is constructed under tightly controlled condition in-house in Corentium lab in Norway and they are calibrated in advanced radon labs before being released to consumers.

This radon detection chamber has proven itself on the commercial market, but the Corentium team went to the next level for the Corentium Pro device. Instead of just one chamber, the Pro has four. This allows the device to detect four separate samples of air at a time, giving you a faster reading and giving you a more accurate reading. The chambers work in parallel, each analyzing air at the same time. This redundant system is unmatched and it means the Corentium Pro is a powerhouse of accurate radon detection. These superior technological advancements make it more accurate and more trustworthy.

Portability

So the Corentium detector is industry-leading, but the device does not stop there. It is specifically designed to use very little energy, and it is battery powered. This means you can place the Corentium Pro anywhere in a home or building. Other professional radon detectors need to be plugged in, so you not only need to find a plug near where you want to test, you also have more equipment to keep track of: the unit, and the power cord. All four chambers and its internal algorithms can operate with one set of batteries.

Simple Interface

The Corentium Pro is not only portable within a home, it easily fits in a radon professional’s toolkit. At 5.4 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches and just over half a pound, it is a simple addition to your radon detection repertoire. The radon detectors it replaces are much less portable, which makes it easy to justify the replacement.

Beyond its physical properties, the Corentium Pro makes radon detection simple. It comes with analytics software that creates a clear breakdown of radon levels in a building which makes your job easier. All you need to do is to plug the Corentium unit into your computer and you will be able to see a full hour-by-hour display of radon levels in any space you test. Furthermore, the device log goes back five years, so it will retain your data long after you have a need for it.
In addition to the included software, the Corentium Pro integrates with mobile phones. This lets you use your smartphone to remotely initiate and control your radon tests. No other radon detector offers this feature, and it is just one more way the Corentium Pro sets a new standard for the professional radon detector market.

Branded Reporting

Given its accuracy, portability, simple but robust analytics interface, mobile integration, and low energy consumption, the Corentium Pro makes it easy to be truly professional about radon detection. It has one last trick up its sleeve to that end: branded analysis reports. When the Corentium Pro is done detecting the amount of radon in a building, it allows you create reports with your own company or personal brand on the report. This final touch means you are able to provide your customers with a truly professional experience. When customers receive a detailed report of radon in their home, they are impressed. But when your detailed radon report includes your own company or personal brand, they will be more likely to remember your expertise and professionalism and refer your services to others in need of radon detection.

Summary

The Corentium Pro is the new standard for professional radon detectors. It has a proprietary detection system that combines the accuracy of a traditional analog charcoal radon test with the ease of use and portability of a digital device. It has quadruple redundancy built into its system, with four detection chambers to make sure your results are both accurate and deliverable on time. It integrates with your smartphone, giving you the power of this device in your pocket. And what’s more, it comes with analytics software that creates easy to understand branded reports. There has never been a more complete, more appropriate tool for the needs of a radon detection professional or home inspector. The Corentium Pro retails for $1499, and you can purchase it directly clicking the bottom below.

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