Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, resulting in more than 20,000 deaths per year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is an odorless, colorless gas that is undetectable to the eyes or the nose. Radon can enter your home through your water supply, through cracks in the foundation of your home, and through doors and windows. It can also build up inside the spaces in your walls and then seep out into the main living area.

The only way to know if you have radon in your house or apartment is through proper testing, and professional help is needed if radon needs to be removed.

What It Is

Radon is formed as a byproduct of uranium. As a result, the substance is radioactive. Uranium is frequently present in the ground, and is often in the local water as well. Uranium breaks down naturally over time in a process known as radioactive decay. As this process occurs, radon is formed and released as a gas. The gas builds up in groundwater sources, such as well water. If your home’s water supply comes from ground sources, there is a risk that the gas can be released into your home as the water comes through your tap. If your home is supplied by surface water sources, such as a reservoir, the radon gas is typically released into the air before the water reaches your tap, reducing your risk of exposure in the home.

The Risk

Radon can form anywhere there is uranium in the soil, which is quite common. The effects of radon exposure accrue over time, so therefore it is possible to form lung cancer years after the initial radon exposure.

Smokers are also more susceptible to lung cancer if they have also been exposed to radon, but smoking remains the number one cause of lung cancer in the country on its own. Kansas State University reported that about 6% of homes in the United States have elevated radon levels indoors. Businesses are also very susceptible to radon exposure, especially if they have structures underground. Mines, underground tunnels and other similar structures face a much higher risk of elevated radon levels. Underground parking garages also carry a potential risk. Once radon is inhaled, there is no sufficient way of undoing its effects. Therefore, radon prevention is the safest way of protecting your home, and radon removal is necessary if your home levels are found to be too high.

Taking Action

Have your home professionally tested for radon if you are about to purchase a new house or move into a new apartment. You can also order a radon test kit from a certified dealer through the mail if you want to do the testing yourself. All your windows should be closed for at least 12 hours prior to the test to give you a more accurate result. People can still go in and out of the main entrance of the home, but try to keep the doors closed as much as possible. Radon levels vary, so conduct several tests over the span of a week to help guarantee accuracy. If the building has been tested recently, you should be provided with paperwork that shows what the current radon levels are. If you are building a new home, ask if your construction company uses radon–resistant construction features that reduce the risk of radon building up in the house during construction or after it is completed. If radon levels in or around your home are found to be higher than four picocuries per liter, you need to have those levels lowered. Lower amounts of radon exposure can still be harmful, but four picocuries per liter is the danger threshold established by the EPA. Your home also needs to be tested if you just completed renovations on it, because radon could have entered the home during the construction process.

If your radon levels are found to be high, contact your state radon office to find out about certified companies that do radon mitigation. The methods of radon mitigation vary depending on your specific situation, but companies often install systems that filter radon out of the ground and the air. The requirements for these systems vary from state-to-state. Vent fans are one way of accomplishing this, because they pump air out of the home, lowering radon levels in the house in the process. Radon cannot be destroyed, so it needs to be diverted before it enters the home. Modern construction techniques also utilize new sealing practices that prevent gas from coming up from the ground and seeping in through your foundation slab.

Radon dangers are easy to ignore because the gas is invisible and has no odor. However, ignorance is not bliss in this situation, because radon exposure can cause severe health risks decades after the initial contact. Be proactive, and make sure that your home has been recently tested. If your levels are high, take immediate action to reduce them. Consider moving your family to a temporary location until radon mitigation techniques have been utilized to make your home a safer place to live.