It's odorless, tasteless and invisible, and it just might be an unwelcome guest in your home.
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), it's found in nearly all soils. Radon filters up through the soil and into the air, and can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, loosely-fitted pipes and the water supply. When the gas becomes trapped inside and builds up, it can pose a health risk.
Fortunately, radon testing is easy and inexpensive. Radon test kits are available online or in many home improvement stores, or you can purchase a discounted test kit from the National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University (sosradon.org). Two types of test kits are available, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Short-term kits, which measure radon for two to 90 days; and long-term kits, which measure radon over 90 days and can tell you your home's average year-round level.
Radon is measured in units of picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air, according to the CDC. A very low level is normal, but the EPA recommends taking action for any result between 2 and 4 pCi/L. You can increase air flow by opening windows and using fans to circulate air, and sealing cracks in floors and walls with plaster and caulk specifically designed to block radon. After you complete the necessary repairs, conduct another radon test.
If your home tests above 4 pCi/L, you may need a radon reduction system installed. Contact your state radon office (sosradon.org/state-radon-contact-map) to find a licensed radon mitigation specialist.
Rick Good spent ten years in the newspaper business, including with The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC) and The Greenville News (Greenville, SC). He co-wrote, with Melinda Coleman, Rutledge to Riley: Governors of South Carolina, 1776–Present (Published by The Greenville News), and is the author of Mind Games Trivia #1 (Amazon). He has recently spent 15 years creating original trivia content through Sounds Good Mobile Entertainment and continues that with his new company, SGME Software. He edits The Smart Reader’s money, real estate, and business coverage.
