Radon in the Home
January 23-27, 2023 is Radon Awareness Week. Learn more about the health risks of radon and take steps to reduce your indoor exposure to radon.
What is radon?
Radon is a colorless and odorless and invisible radioactive gas that is naturally released from rocks, soil, and water. In outdoor environments, radon levels are generally very low and not considered harmful. Higher levels of radon can be found in homes and buildings, because the gas seeps in through cracks in the foundation. Radon can build up in the air in any home or building whether it has a basement, is sealed or drafty, or is new or old. Radon in the home can pose serious health risks (CDC).
Why is radon dangerous to health?
Radon is a radioactive gas, meaning the atom’s bonds are unstable. When radon atoms decay, or begin breaking down, they emit alpha particles, which are high-energy particles that can damage the lungs if inhaled, which increases lung cancer risk. There is no known safe level of radon, and long-term exposure to high levels of radon can be deadly. According to the U.S. CDC:
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking.
Radon exposure is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year.
1 in 15 homes in the U.S. have high radon levels.
Testing is the only way to know if radon levels in your home are safe.
It’s important to get your home tested for radon and take steps to reduce levels if they are high.
How do find out if my home has high radon levels?
Find out if you live in an area at high risk for elevated radon levels.The U.S. CDC’s The Tracking Network has radon testing data at the state and county level for most of the United States. The data on the Tracking Network are collected by some CDC-funded state and local Tracking Programs as well as several national radon testing laboratories. Explore Maine data.
Contact a certified radon tester or purchase a radon test kit. Follow the instructions and place the kit in the lowest livable level of your home. Leave the kit in place and undisturbed for the recommended period of time. Once complete, send the kit to a certified lab for analysis. Review the lab results. If the radon level in your home is above 4.0 pCi/L, take steps to mitigate or reduce radon in your home. Learn more about radon testing options.
How do I reduce radon levels in my home?
Contact a qualified professional to explore the best options for reducing radon levels in your home. Common tools for mitigating radon in the home include:
Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation
Installing a ventilation system to reduce radon levels
Increasing ventilation in the home
Installing a radon reduction system, such as a gas-permeable layer under the foundation or a vent pipe and fan system to remove radon gas.