While Radon does not pose an immediate death threat the way a fire or carbon monoxide does, long term exposure to Radon can lead to lung cancer. Radon alarms are slowly growing in popularity. In Canada, there is a company working on changing Canadian building code to include mandates for radon alarms to be installed in all new homes. They are also working on changing standards for existing homes.
Here in the United States, there is an EPA evaluated radon gas alarm. It is known as a Digital Continuous Radon Gas Monitoring and it is manufactured by Family Safety Products, Inc. Unlike a single use radon detection kit, this radon alarm works by continually monitoring the home for radon gas.
There is a digital display that shows both the short-term & long-term radon levels. Short-term levels are your home’s 7 day average, while long-term levels are the averages since the radon alarm was first powered up/last reset. The radon alarm displays its first readings 48 hours after installation. It updates hourly from that point forward. If the test fails, an error code will be displayed.
If your home has a level of 4.0 pCi/L or higher for either short- or long-term levels, an audible alarm will sound. There is a button that allows you to mute or reactivate this alarm when the radon alarm is sounding.
If you have one of these alarms installed in your home, and you do get a radon alarm, it is highly recommended that you have your home tested by a licensed radon professional. If the results indicate that your home’s levels are at or above 4.0 pCi/L, a radon reduction system can be installed to help lower the levels of radon in your home. This radon reduction system should be installed by a licensed radon mitigation professional.
Would you have a radon alarm installed?
