What is radon and why should I care?

This is a revised and updated version of a previously published article in February 2021.Winter and spring are excellent times to test radon levels 

Radon is a radioactive, tasteless, odorless and colorless gas that escapes from the ground. It can build up inside homes, especially in the winter when ventilation is limited. Almost all homes contain some radon. The amount of radon in a home depends on:

• The type of rocks under and around a home.
• The amount of soil around the home.
• The local weather.
• How well-insulated a home is.
• How air-tight a home is. 
• The integrity of the home’s foundation.

Why should I care about radon?

When radon is mixed in with air and wind outdoors, it poses no health risk. When radon accumulates in an enclosed space, such as in a home, it can build up to dangerously high levels.

Ongoing exposure to radon has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer and, in fact, after smoking, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer.

What causes radon?

Radon is formed by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rocks and water.

How is radon diagnosed?

The only way to know if your home has high levels of radon is to test for it. The most common test kits are called alpha track system kits. There are a variety of testing kits available online at such websites as Amazon.com. 

Most of the kits are used and mailed back in for analysis. The cost of the kit commonly includes the cost for the lab evaluation.

The test kit detectors should be placed in the lowest level of a home where they are easily accessible but unlikely to be disturbed. Most detectors are left in place for three months, and then you will send the detector back to the laboratory for analysis.

The highest levels of radon are most commonly found in basements, so that’s an especially important area to test as well as any other areas where you may have poor ventilation. Winter is an excellent time to test because it’s indicative of normal conditions in your home when your windows are closed.

Can radon exposure be prevented or corrected?

When purchasing a home, make sure you get a full radon test report on that home. Radon reports are becoming required by law in many states.

 If you have a home that has tested positive for unacceptably high levels of radon, many times the fix can be as simple as ensuring that major entry routes are closed off. This includes covering any exposed soil in crawl spaces and ensuring that any foundation floor cracks are completely sealed.

Sometimes a professional may be required to correct a high radon level problem, and most reputable contractors are experienced in correcting high radon home problems. Just make sure you hire someone with experience and a good reputation. Consumer resources such as Angie’s list, or some of the sources listed with this article, or even the good folks working at your local hardware store can help with such references.

Action steps 

The only way to know if your home has high levels of radon is to test for it. We take safety precautions every day. We wear seat belts, test our homes for carbon monoxide, use smoke and fire detectors and alarms, and use security systems. 

It’s time for all Americans to add radon detection to our normal, regular safety checklist and take corrective action if the radon levels are found to be high.