Radon testing can help keep you and your family safe
Radon testing measures the concentration of radon gas in a specific location.
Consistent exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer.
You can pursue DIY or professional radon testing.
In the quiet corners of our homes, an invisible danger may lurk undetected. Radon, a colorless, odorless gas, is a radioactive byproduct of natural uranium decay present in soil and rock. When it seeps into buildings, especially homes, it can accumulate to hazardous levels, posing a significant health risk. The silent peril of radon exposure is a leading cause of lung cancer, making radon testing an essential safeguard for our well-being. This is why pursuing radon testing for your home can be so important. What is radon testing? Keep reading to find out.
So—what is radon? Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally as a decay product of uranium and thorium, which are found in varying amounts in soil, rock, and groundwater. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless, making it difficult to detect without specialized equipment. Radon is a noble gas, which means it does not readily react with other substances.
The radioactive decay of uranium and thorium in the Earth's crust leads to the formation of radon gas. Radon can seep into homes and buildings through the ground, especially in areas where the soil and rocks have higher concentrations of uranium or thorium. Once inside, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels, posing a health risk to humans.
Prolonged exposure to elevated levels of radon can increase the risk of lung cancer, particularly in individuals who smoke. Radon is considered a significant environmental health risk, and it is essential for homeowners to test for radon levels in their homes and take measures to reduce radon exposure if necessary, such as improving ventilation or installing radon mitigation systems.
Exposure to radon over a long period of time can cause serious health problems, including lung cancer. Lowering radon in your home requires professional knowledge and skills only available by hiring a radon mitigation pro.
Radon testing is the process of measuring the concentration of radon gas in a specific location, such as a home or workplace. It is crucial because radon is a radioactive gas that can seep into buildings from the ground, potentially reaching harmful levels. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels can increase the risk of lung cancer, especially for individuals who smoke.
There are two main methods for how to test for radon—short-term and long-term testing. With long-term testing, you will use an alpha continuous radon monitor (CRM). CRMs are electronic devices that continuously measure and record radon levels. They provide hourly readings and an average concentration over the test period, which can range from several days to a year. With short-term testing, you have a few options for how to proceed:
These are small containers filled with activated charcoal. They are exposed to the air in the home for a specified period, usually two to seven days. Radon gas adsorbs onto the charcoal. After the test period, the canister is sealed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.
These are small, plastic devices that contain a special film. Radon decay products damage the film, leaving tracks that can be counted under a microscope. Alpha-track detectors are usually left in place for three months to a year, providing a long-term average radon level.
These detectors use a small, electrically charged Teflon disc to detect radon and its decay products. They are often used for short-term testing and provide results after two to seven days.
"The most important need for radon testing comes if anyone is living below grade in a house. Basement bedrooms or any space in the basement that will be occupied for periods of time need to be tested in areas where radon is present. That means, most of the United States. Radon is not evenly distributed and so one house might test at 1.5pCi/L and the house next door might test at 6pCi/L and need a radon mitigation system."
— Jonathan Culp, Design Principal for Land Agency, Denver, Colorado
The choice of testing method depends on various factors, including the time available for testing, the level of accuracy required, and whether the home is currently occupied. Long-term tests provide a more accurate picture of the average radon levels, while short-term tests can provide a quick indication of potential issues.
It's important to follow the testing guidelines provided by relevant health authorities or environmental agencies in your region. If elevated radon levels are detected, mitigation measures such as improving ventilation or installing radon mitigation systems can be implemented to reduce radon exposure.
If you are unsure about how to best proceed with radon testing, you can always hire a professional radon testing service in your area to help you out. You can get quotes from a few different professionals to get a better idea of what radon tests cost near you.
Whether or not you need a radon test for your home depends on several factors, primarily your location and the guidelines provided by local health authorities or environmental agencies. Here are some key points to consider:
Geographic location: Radon levels can vary significantly from one geographic area to another. Some regions are known to have higher radon concentrations due to the geological composition of the soil. It's a good idea to check radon maps or consult local authorities to determine if your area is considered high-risk.
Previous test results: If your home has never been tested for radon, or if it has been a long time since the last test (radon levels can fluctuate over time), it's advisable to conduct a radon test. Even if your area is considered low-risk, individual homes can have elevated radon levels.
Home design and usage: Radon gas can enter buildings through the ground and accumulate at higher levels in poorly ventilated or tightly sealed homes. If your home has a basement or crawlspace, or is in contact with the ground in any way, it's at risk for radon infiltration. Additionally, if you spend a significant amount of time in the basement or ground floor of your home, you may be at higher risk of radon exposure.
Safety precaution: Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is responsible for a significant number of lung cancer cases in smokers as well. If you are concerned about your family's health and well-being, a radon test can provide peace of mind or alert you to a potential health risk.
Selling or buying a home: In many regions, radon testing is a standard procedure during real estate transactions. If you are buying or selling a home, you may be required to conduct a radon test as part of the inspection process.
It's always a good practice to consult local authorities, public health departments, or environmental agencies to understand the radon risk in your area and whether testing is recommended or required. If you decide to test for radon, make sure to follow the appropriate testing guidelines and, if necessary, take steps to mitigate radon levels if they are found to be elevated.
Radon testing is not legally necessary, but it is highly recommended if you live in an area where homes commonly have radon issues. Certain parts of the U.S. have naturally higher radon levels in the ground than others. Radon testing is also necessary if you have a radon mitigation system and need to periodically test for the gas to ensure the levels are under control.
Radon enters a home through the ground or water beneath and around the house. The gas is created from the natural decay of uranium and radium in nearby rocks and soil. The radon travels through the ground and enters a home through cracks in the foundation, walls, and floors. In some cases, radon travels into the home through well water or groundwater.
Radon is commonly found in basements or the lowest points of a home, like crawl spaces. However, it can also travel up into other areas of the home, but the highest concentration will be at the lowest point of the house. As far as location in the U.S., areas with high levels of uranium in the soil are more likely to have elevated radon levels
