DIY radon test kits and certified labs

Which kind of test kit?

• Short-term kits stay in your home for 2 to 90 days, depending on the device. Charcoal canisters are the most common. They're quick, but less likely to show your year-round average.
• Long-term kits stay for more than 90 days. Alpha track and electret detectors are common. They give a better picture of your year-round level.

How do you use a kit?

1. Put it in the lowest lived-in level of your home: the basement if you use it often, otherwise the first floor. 2. Choose a room you use regularly, like a living room or bedroom, but not the kitchen or bathroom. 3. Place it at least 20 inches above the floor, away from drafts, heat, humidity and outside walls. 4. For a short-term test, keep windows and outside doors closed as much as you can. For a 2 or 3 day test, close them 12 hours before you start. 5. Leave it for as long as the package says, then reseal it and send it to the lab right away.

Does the lab matter?

Yes. PA DEP says to make sure the lab analyzing your kit is Pennsylvania certified. The labs below are on DEP's certified list. Check the lab named on your kit's package.

When should you hire a tester instead?

If you're buying or selling a home, you can hire a certified tester. PA DEP says buyers often want a test done by someone not involved in the sale. After a radon system goes in, DEP also recommends an independent test.