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Radon Test Kit: Which One to Order and How to Use It Right
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Who this is for
Homeowners, buyers and renters who live on or below the third floor and have never tested. EPA estimates nearly 1 out of every 15 U.S. homes has an elevated radon level and says you cannot guess yours from a neighbor's result.
What you get
A number for your home, and EPA's next step for that number. A short-term kit stays in the home 2 to 90 days (never less than 48 hours) and is analyzed by a lab. If your first result is 4 pCi/L or higher, EPA says to take a follow-up test. Put the result into our result checker to see what to do next.
How it works
- Close windows and outside doors and keep them closed as much as possible. For a 2 or 3 day test, close them at least 12 hours before you start.
- Place the kit in the lowest lived-in level, in a room you use regularly but not the kitchen or bathroom, at least 20 inches above the floor, away from drafts, high heat, high humidity and exterior walls.
- Leave it as long as the package says, write down the start and stop times, then reseal it and send it to the lab right away.
The full guide is on our radon test kits page.
One thing that lowers the cost
Look for a free or discounted kit before you buy one. EPA says its National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University offers discounted kits online, and some state radon programs offer free or discounted kits. Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection says kits typically cost about $20 to $30 there. We did not find a national price from a government source.
A note on honesty
We have not tested any specific kit, so we do not name a brand. This page repeats EPA guidance in plain words and is not medical advice. If you buy through the link below we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change what we recommend, which includes checking for a free state kit first. If your result is high, call a certified radon mitigation contractor.
Ready to test?
Order a radon test kit, and follow the instructions that come with it.
Shop radon test kitsFree printable: Radon Test Day Checklist
EPA's testing steps in one page, plus what your result means. Download the one-page PDF now, or get it by email along with a short series of five helpful emails.