!44: Top 10 Radon Testing Kits: November 2011

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Why Buy a Radon Gas Detector?

!±8± Why Buy a Radon Gas Detector?

In many parts of the country, radon gas is a problem. This radioactive gas can leak into your basement through holes and cracks in the foundation where it can then accumulate to unsafe levels. Radon is considered one of the leading causes of lung cancer, after smoking.

When buying a new home it is standard in most states for a home inspector to test for radon levels. The test is usually performed in the lowest area of the home, which for most people is the basement. The test is usually performed under "closed home conditions" meaning that no windows or doors are allowed to be left open while the test is being performed.

It is during one of these home inspection tests that most people learn that they have radon present. The EPA has set guidelines for safe conditions at 4pCi/L or less of radon within a home. If you are buying a new home and the home inspection uncovers levels higher than this, then a radon mitigation system will need to be installed.

However, even after the installation of a radon mitigation system, it is still useful to monitor the ongoing levels of radon in your home. Since radon concentrations within a home are known to fluctuate with the seasons, it is useful to know what levels are at after installation. Or, were your mitigation system to fail in some way, an alarm announcing radon accumulation would be beneficial

Likewise, if your home's radon levels are below the 4 pCi/L guideline, but still elevated (1-3 pCi/L), there is still some potential health risks involved. In this case you may wish to monitor the conditions in your home to be sure your levels don't rise over time.

Home radon tests come in two basic forms: one-use test kits and electronic gas monitors (multi-use). While electronic radon gas detectors will cost more money upfront, they will save money over time were you to have to use multiple test kits. Most electronic radon monitors also contain an alarm to alert you should your radon levels rise to an unsafe level.

Why Buy a Radon Gas Detector?

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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Home Testing Kits - What Kinds Are Available Online?

!±8± Home Testing Kits - What Kinds Are Available Online?

You can buy almost anything online these days. Home testing kits are no exception. But the variety can be overwhelming. Here is a quick summary of the selection of test kits you can purchase online today.

Broadly speaking, there are two types: Medical and Non-Medical

Medical Diagnostic Kits include:

DNA & Genetics Testing

DNA testing Paternity testing Blood type Hormone & Fertility Testing Pregnancy Ovulation Menopause Male Infertility
Early Disease Detection

HIV STD (socially transmitted diseases) Cholesterol Diabetes (blood sugar and hemoglobin a1c) Cancer (colon, prostate and breast) Thyroid (TSH) Anemia (Iron deficiency) Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

These first two medical categories are pretty self-explanatory. Some of these tests can give instant results in the privacy of your own home. Others, such as the HIV tests that are approved by the FDA, require you to send the samples into accredited labs to complete the testing. However, care is taken to ensure the privacy of the individual. You can find more details on these kinds of tests at my website (see below for link).

Substance Abuse

Steroid Illicit Drugs Alcohol Nicotine

Drug abuse has become a major concern in America and around the world. There are many inexpensive tests for the major illegal drug groups such as marijuana, cocaine, amphetamines, opiates such as heroin, methadone etc. Steroid use by athletes is also a problem. It's important to know which tests can be easily fooled and which are more reliable at revealing long term drug use.

Health & Wellness

Wellness Antioxidant Hormone Levels Minerals & Vitamins Caffeine

This category always seems to me to be a little unnecessary. Many of the tests are vague to the point of being useless. Why would anyone want to test for caffeine? What is "wellness"? But there is a market for these home testing kits, so to each his own.

Within the category of medical home testing kits, there is the essential sub-category of CLIA Waived tests. CLIA Waived home test kits have been approved by the FDA as safe, accurate and easy to use by the average consumer. For more information on CLIA waived tests, please visit my website (link at the bottom of the page).

Non-Medical Home Testing Kits:

Lead Testing Radon Testing Asbestos Moldand Fungus Testing Water Testing Kits Radiation Heavy Metals Bio-Contamination

Environmental testing is becoming increasingly important. Water testing should be almost mandatory in rural areas where the drinking water supply comes from wells. Groundwater is often polluted with bacterial and chemical waste from farms and feedlots. This contamination finds its way into your well water and can cause serious health problems including death. Asbestos and lead contamination are often found in older buildings. Exposure to asbestos can cause lung cancer in the long term while exposure to lead (in paint) is especially harmful to children.

Summary: Home testing kits online can be found for many medical and non medical tests. The advantages are ease of access, privacy, and cost. The disadvantages include knowing which tests are the best for your situation, and which are the most cost effective for you. Before making any purchase of a home testing kit, please take the time to learn as much as you can. Knowledge is power!