FAQ

Can I test for radon myself?

Direct answer

Yes. EPA-approved short-term test kits cost $15-$30 and are available at hardware stores and from the Ohio Department of Health. For real-estate or pre-mitigation testing, a certified professional with a continuous radon monitor is recommended.

More detail

DIY charcoal-canister kits are accurate enough for screening purposes. Place the canister in the lowest livable level of the home, in a position 20+ inches off the floor, away from drafts and heat sources, with windows and exterior doors closed for the 12 hours before testing and during the test period. After 48-72 hours of exposure, seal the canister and mail it to the lab using the prepaid envelope. Results return in 5-7 business days. Real-estate transactions cannot use DIY kits because they lack the closed-house-conditions chain-of-custody documentation that lenders require; they need a NRPP or NRSB credentialed professional running a continuous radon monitor (CRM) per ANSI/AARST MAH-2023 protocols. Pre-mitigation testing for a homeowner self-decision can use either; the CRM approach provides hourly readings showing weather and pressure variation, which is useful for diagnosing borderline 2.0-4.0 pCi/L situations. Cincinnati testing-kit availability: Lowes, Home Depot, ACE Hardware, and Menards stores across Greater Cincinnati stock charcoal canister kits at $15-$30 year-round. The Ohio Department of Health distributes free or low-cost kits during January Radon Action Month. For real-estate transactions, professional CRM testing is required and runs $150-$300 from a NRPP- or NRSB-credentialed measurement professional; Our Cincinnati installers can connect homeowners to credentialed testers when needed.

Authoritative sources

  • US EPA

    Cincinnati and surrounding counties sit in EPA Radon Zone 1, the highest-risk classification.

  • EPA Citizen's Guide to Radon

    EPA recommends mitigation above 4.0 pCi/L and consideration of mitigation between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L.

  • Ohio Department of Health

    Ohio Radon Program guidance on testing, mitigation, and contractor licensure.

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