Clients often ask, should I get a radon test or not? Below is some helpful information to help you make that decision.

What is Radon and How Does it Impact Your Health?

“Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, and chemically inert radioactive gas. It is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. It can be found in all 50 states. Testing for it is the only way of telling how much is present.”

Scary Facts:

• Radon IS real.  It is a radioactive gas that kills one person every 25 minutes in the us alone.
• Radon is responsible for at least 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States alone.
• Deaths Per Year Comparison
  • Radon Deaths: 21,000+
  • Drunk Driving Deaths: 17,400
  • Falls in the home: 8,000
  • Carbon Monoxide: 430

Common Myth’s About Radon:

• If my neighbors home has radon so will mine?  Fact: No, this is not true.  All homes are unique.  
• I’ve been in my home a long time now and everything seems fine?  Fact: This doesn’t mean it is. Only a test can say for sure.
• My home is new so it will not have radon?  Fact: Age of a house has nothing to do with radon levels.  All home are unique.  
• Radon testing is difficult, time-consuming and Expensive? Fact: Radon testing is easy and inexpensive.
• Radon only affects certain kinds of homes? Fact: House construction can affect radon levels. However, radon can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements, homes without basements. Local geology, construction materials, and how the home was built are among the factors that can affect radon levels in homes. 

This inspection includes the placement of testing devices to measure the ongoing level of radon in the habitable areas of the home. These measurements evaluate the level of radon to determine if any form of improvement is required.

Below are links to EPA documents that provide the basic information everyone should know about Radon:

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon
Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon

Other Radon-specific publications are located at:
Indoor Air Quality-specific publications

If you plan to make repairs yourself, be sure to contact your state radon office or visit the publications site for a current copy of EPA’s technical guidance on radon mitigation:
Regulations:Where You Live

Another great site for additional information is: How Stuff Works-Radon