Radon in Air Sampling Instructions

Close all doors and windows on all floors for at least 12 hours before collecting your sample(s).
Turn off all fans and vents that bring in outside air into the collection area.
Do not operate fireplaces, wood, or coal stoves unless they are a primary source of heat.
It is okay to leave on humidifiers or air conditioners that are normally on.
Avoid any direct air flow over the actual radon canisters once placed.
If there is a radon mitigation system in the home, leave it on during collection.
Avoid collecting radon canisters during storms or periods of high winds.

Ideal collection areas are basements or the lowest floor in the building:
- For the general public, please test the lower level of the living area.
- For a real estate transaction, please test the lowest level that could be lived in.
Do not collect samples in areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, closets, crawl spaces, or laundry rooms.
Place the canisters:
- 12 inches from an exterior wall.
- 20 inches or more above the floor.
- 36 inches or more from openings to the outdoor (doors or windows).
- 4 inches from any other object.

Each kit contains one or two radon canisters. Do not remove the canisters from the box. The foam insert in the box maintains the required distance between testing devices.
If your kit contains a duplicate, please follow the same proceedure.
If your kit contains a blank, please do not open it.
Open the lid of the canister(s) and record the date and time on the Chain of Custody.
Leave the canister(s) undisturbed for 48 to 96 hours.
Close the lid of the canister(s) and record the date and time on the Chain of Custody.

Record the temperature and humidity on the EMSL Chain of Custody provided.
Complete all sections on the Chain of Custody before sending the radon canister(s) back to EMSL. Note: Incomplete information will delay the processing of your samples.
Important: Radon gas dissipates quickly after collection so radon canister(s) must be received at the laboratory no more than eight days after collection

Most kits come with a pre-paid U.S. Postal Service label. Note: The post office does not guarantee delivery times. For urgent analysis requests, EMSL recommends using FedEx or UPS express shipping options instead.

The default turnaround for radon canister(s) is two business days from the date of receipt at EMSL’s laboratory. Rush options for next-day and same-day are available but subject to being received in the laboratory by 10:00 a.m. (EST) and instrument availability. Results will be reported by 8:00 p.m. (EST) on the day they are due.

Once the radon canister(s) are analyzed, results will be reported to the email address(s) provided on the Chain of Custody.
All sales of radon canister(s) are final. Canister(s) cannot be sent back for refunds or credits.
Radon canister(s) kept in a controlled environment for temperature and humidity can be used up to two years from the date of manufacture.
These radon canister(s) contain activated charcoal to collect the radon gas.
These radon canister(s) have been tested for the collection of radon in air for indoor environments. Test results may be affected by extreme heat, cold, or humidity.

Liquid Scintillation Instrument

Questions
Call: 800-220-3675
Email: radlab@emsl.com

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