Radon: The Invisible Danger In Your Home

According to the American Lung Association, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and results in about 21,000 deaths annually.

A naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the ground, radon can enter a home through cracks in floors, basement walls, foundations and other openings. The fact that radon is invisible, odorless and tasteless makes it particularly dangerous as you may live with it for years and not even know it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates about 1 in 15 American homes have elevated levels of radon. 

The only way to know if there’s radon in your home is to test for it. Fortunately, testing is easy. There are kits available that let you conduct your own test, or you can hire a qualified radon testing company.

Kits can be purchased at most home-improvement and hardware stores, through online retailers. It’s important to follow the directions on the packaging for the proper placement of the device and where to send the device after the test to find out your radon level.

If you prefer to hire a professional to do radon testing or to fix a radon problem in your home, be sure they are certified by one of the following organizations:

1. American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists/National Radon Proficiency Program (AARST/NRPP) 

2. The National Radon Safety Board (NRSB)

You can find a list of radon professionals in your state here.

No matter how you choose to test, if your results reveal a high level of radon (exceeding 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), you need to take action.

In some cases, fixes may be a matter of DIY, such as sealing cracks in the foundation, improving your home’s ventilation and creating room pressurization with fans. However, the EPA recommends anyone with elevated levels of radon engage with a qualified radon mitigation contractor. Depending upon the levels in your home, you may need a radon mitigation system, which consists of a vent pipe, fan and the proper sealing of cracks.

Even if your home tests at a safe level, you should consider getting a radon detector. Available online and in home and hardware stores, detectors are portable, easy to use and can alert you when radon levels creep into the danger zone.

For detailed information about radon reduction in your home visit the EPA's Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction.

Sean Burns, MD, is the SVMC EMS Medical Director/District 12 Medical Advisor.