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The Vermont Department of Health Laboratory offers two types of radiological testing:  air and environmental testing.

The laboratory works with state partnerships to test environmental samples for naturally occurring and man-made radioactive materials. This type of testing is not available to the public.

 

Radon in air testing is available to the public. 

You should test your home’s radon levels in air:

  •     If it’s never been tested or radon levels are unknown

  •     When preparing to buy or sell a home

  •     Before and after any renovations, especially after making any repairs to reduce radon levels

  •     Before making any lifestyle changes in the home that would cause someone to spend more time in the basement or lower level (like converting a basement to a bedroom)

Radon in Air Testing

The Vermont Department of Health Laboratory recommends testing your home for radon in the air. We offer long, medium and short term test kits. We recommend that you test through at least part of a heating season. The longer the test is run, the more accurate the result will be. Learn more in the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) guidance, Citizen’s Guide to Radon.

  • Real estate transactions: Perform a short-term test (Kit RF). This kit includes two devices to be placed side by side for 2 – 7 days. To find out more about radon testing for real estate transactions, check out the EPA’s Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon.

  • All other tests: Perform a long term (3 – 12 months, Kit RH) or medium term (1-3 months, Kit RG) test. Testing during part of a heating season will produce more accurate results.

If you have well water and have received a radon in air test (Kit RC) result of greater than 4 pCi/L (EPA Action Level), consider testing for radon in water.

  • See our Forms and Ordering page for sampling instructions for all testing kits, to request a kit by mail or to print out our order form and send it in with payment.

  • Kits can also be purchased in person or over the phone; visit our Contact Us and Directions page for more information.

For more information, visit the Vermont Radon Program’s webpage.

EPA information about mitigation for radon in air can be found in the EPA’s document Citizen’s Guide to Radon Reduction 2013.

Environmental Radiochemistry

The Vermont Department of Health performs radiological testing on environmental samples in partnership with the Radiological and Toxicological Sciences Program and the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. Multiple sample types are tested for both naturally occurring and man-made radioactive materials.

Sample types include:

  • Water

  • Soil/Sediment

  • Milk

  • Vegetation

  • Fish

  • Air

The Laboratory has detection capabilities for alpha, beta and gamma emitters, including tritium as well as radioactive iodine and cesium. The Laboratory does not accept samples from members of the public for this type of testing.

Learn more about the Radiological and Toxicological Sciences Program including Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant monitoring.

Topics:
Healthy Homes
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