Where should a radon test be placed in a home?

The appropriate placement of a radon test is crucial for obtaining accurate results, and placing it at the lowest level that could be occupied is essential for a comprehensive assessment of radon levels in a home. This is because radon is a naturally occurring gas that typically enters homes through cracks in floors and walls, construction joints, and gaps in foundations.

Testing at the lowest level that could be occupied—such as a basement or a ground floor—provides a more realistic representation of radon exposure for residents and highlights areas where radon might accumulate. This location is particularly important since radon levels often vary significantly in different parts of the house and are usually higher in lower levels due to the gas’s tendency to seep in from the ground.

While testing near an exterior wall could lead to valid results in some scenarios, it is not specific enough to ensure that the test captures potential high radon levels commonly found in the lowest, occupied areas of a home. Testing in the attic is not appropriate for radon assessments because attics are not areas that people typically occupy, and the temperature and ventilation dynamics in attics differ from those in living spaces, potentially leading to misleading readings.

By focusing on the lowest level that might be lived in, testers can provide