First Alert Radon Gas Test Kit, RD1

The First Alert RD1 is the most widely purchased radon test kit in the United States, and for good reason: it is inexpensive, straightforward, and backed by an EPA-listed laboratory with over a decade of proven results.

The process requires no tools or expertise. Open the sealed canister, place it in the lowest livable level of your home (basement, crawl space, or ground floor) for 48–96 hours with windows and exterior doors closed, then mail it back to the lab using the provided return envelope. Lab fees are included in the purchase price (New Jersey residents pay an additional state fee). Results are emailed within 72 hours of lab receipt.

The charcoal canister method used here is the same technique employed by professional radon inspectors for initial screenings — it is simple, reliable, and EPA-recognized. If your result comes back at or above 4.0 pCi/L (the EPA action level), follow up with a long-term alpha-track test or a second short-term test before scheduling mitigation.

For homeowners who want the fastest and most affordable way to answer the question of whether their home has elevated radon, the First Alert RD1 is the place to start.