AccuStar Labs manufactures and processes test kits that homeowners and professionals use to measure radon levels in air and water.
Three years ago, a professional inspector for my house used a different laboratory to measure the radon levels in my basement. That level was 3.3 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air), which is below the Environmental Protection Agency's action level of 4.0 but can still increase people's risk of developing lung cancer. That lab recommended that I retest the radon levels in my house in 2-3 years and that I "consider" installing a radon mitigation system.
This year was three years later. I have not yet installed a radon mitigation system, but I found AccuStar Lab's radon test online. The test is sold through AccuStar's website as well as through other retailers. I purchased my test through Home Depot.
To perform the test, I placed two open canisters 4 inches apart, 2 feet away from the floor or ceiling, and 3 feet away from doors, walls, and windows. I left the canisters there for 72 hours (48-96 hours is acceptable) in Closed Building Conditions (no open windows or doors except for normal entering and exiting). After the 72 hours had passed, I put lids and special tape on the canisters, and I filled out a data sheet with information about the location, time, and conditions.
The test kit had come with a box and a no-postage-necessary First-Class USPS label, but the instructions advised against using this label! They said that the USPS often experiences delays that can invalidate the test. They instead recommended using UPS or FedEx. Well, I decided to print a Priority Mail label from the USPS website, and my package arrived at AccuStar Labs in just under 2 days.
Two days later, the laboratory emailed me the result of my radon test. The result was 3.0 pCi/L. The laboratory recommended that I retest my house in two years to ensure that my radon levels are still under the EPA's action level. In two years, I will be happy to purchase another AccuStar radon test. read more