January Is Radon Action Month

January is National Radon Action Month, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) urges all homeowners to test their homes for radon.

Radon doesn't get the attention that high-profile home hazards such as mold and asbestos do. Perhaps people overlook it because it has no taste, odor or color, and overexposure produces no symptoms. But radon is a major cause of lung cancer in the U.S., so its danger should not be overlooked.

The Radon Hazard

Radon is a natural radioactive gas found nearly everywhere. It rises through the soil and finds its way into homes through openings in the foundation. It can be present in any house — new or old, sealed or drafty, with or without a basement.

Being exposed to high levels of radon is dangerous. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Lung cancer caused by radon kills an estimated 20,000 people yearly.

Testing for Radon

Although the statistics are troublesome, radon is a hazard with an easy solution — starting with testing your home. You have several options:

• Do-it-yourself testing kits are available in stores and on the Internet, and are reliable and reasonably priced. You expose the kits to the air in your home for a specified time and then send it to a lab for analysis.
• Certified radon testers can perform the test for you. Your state's radon office can help you locate certified contractors.
• Long-term radon tests remain in the home and monitor levels for more than 90 days.

The test results give the radon level, measured in picocuries. A hazardous level is 4 or more picocuries of radon per liter of air.

Correcting a Radon Problem

Don't panic if a radon tests shows high levels — fixing a radon problem is relatively easy and inexpensive. It's best to hire a certified radon mitigator — your state radon office can direct you to one.

The radon mitigator figures out how the gas is entering your home and then helps you determine the best course of action for your situation. That solution could be as simple as covering your sump pump; or it could call for a more elaborate method such as installing a pipe to let radon rise from the basement to the outdoors.

TIP: If you're building a new home, think ahead. Installing a radon reduction system during construction is more economical than adding it later.

Finally, don't become complacent. Even after a successful radon test or mitigation, the EPA recommends retesting every two years. You can learn more at the EPA's radon website.

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