Free air filter Analysis
I found this online today. Maybe they are doing some sort of study, but it sounded promising for those who might be interested.
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I found this online today. Maybe they are doing some sort of study, but it sounded promising for those who might be interested.
It doesn't say of they will
It doesn't say of they will do nuclide identification or not. Gross Alpha/Beta/Gamma may just indicate you have a Radon problem.
It would be best if they could check the specific energies of the gamma emissions for identification.
It's worth a try though.
This is a great service and
This is a great service and I like their web site also. We just changed our carbon filters on our hepa room filters that we bought about a month ago. When we put a geiger counter up to the carbon + hepa filter, the readings were scary high....between 300 and 550 CPM's. They have only been operating for a month. We took readings after and it was still high but not as much between 150 and 250 CPM's (we have 5 air filters in the house in each room). We were a bit freaked out, but glad they are doing their job. We plan to change the hepa filters also. We live in CA, so I would really like to know what is in them.
Probably radon progeny
Hi, it sounds like you might be seeing the decay products of radon gas. Another poster came with a similar question a few days ago. See this thread for more info and discussion. Basically, the count rates should fall back to background within a few hours. Since you are also reporting count rates that decrease quite rapidly, this is not fallout from Japan -- nothing that short-lived would have made it across the ocean.
Mark [BRAWM Team Member]
It sounds like Radon
It sounds like Radon products. There gave been two threads on this topic, and your numbers aren't that high compared to another poster in New Mexico.
To verify, if the count drops below 100 CPM after 8 hours, that tells you it's Radon progeny.
Thanks Mark and everyone!
Thanks Mark and everyone! We just remodeled and yes have nice new granite countertops all over. I didn't realize they emitted radon when I chose them, but our house is plenty drafty and hopefully these filters are helping. Glad to hear it's most likely not from Japan, but I will check them again and maybe send them in just to see. Once again, thank you to BRAWM for answering questions and giving a bit of peace of mind in this mess.
You're welcome. I would
You're welcome. I would encourage you to read up on radon, especially its how it accumulates in houses. Basically, it is a heavy gas and congregates in basements. Also, I wouldn't blame your countertops too much -- much of will come from natural uranium decays in the soil.
Mark [BRAWM Team Member]
Air filter check
Thank you for posting this I will send my filter in asap.
Wonderful idea and thank you !
This is Brilliant!!!!!
Please, everyone look on this site. This is a brilliant idea and a way for us to obtain some independent information about what we are breathing in, and what is falling on our soil.
With enough people participating, we may begin to discern gross levels of what drifted where.
While this is a complicated situation, and this test is not up to the BRAWN lab protocol, it is brilliant in its simplicity and the quantity of data from all over the US may help us see a pattern.
And, worse case, you will get some data on your personal exposure for FREE!
This is a super idea!!!! Love it!!!!
Granite Countertops
Has anyone actually documented a granite countertop affecting the actual radon level in a real home?
Seems like someone
Seems like someone has.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/24/garden/24granite.html