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Radon In The Home -- The Dangers

Lanny bought a do-it-yourself radon test for his home. He had read about the dangers of radon gas and wanted to make sure that he and his family were safe. The test result showed a radon gas level of 1 pCi/L. Was it necessary for Lanny to take some action?

For years, there was been widespread news coverage regarding the dangers of radon gas in the home. Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It is invisible and has no taste. Accordingly, a specific type of testing must be performed in order to determine the presence of radon gas in the home.

How Is a Radon Gas Test Performed?

Generally speaking, there are two types of radon gas tests: a short-term test and a long-term test. The short-term test is often performed as part of a home inspection prior to the sale of a home. The short-term test involves the placement of a collection device in the home for a period of two days. The device measures the presence of radon. The long-term test involves a similar process, but it spans a period of 90 days. A radon gas test may be performed by a professional or with a do-it-yourself kit purchased from a hardware store.

What Is an Acceptable Level of Radon Gas?

Radon gas in the home is measured in terms of Pico curies per liter (pCi/L). The Environmental Protection Agency recommends that a homeowner take action if the level of radon gas is 4 pCi/L or higher; however, continued monitoring may be advisable even with lower levels.

More Information

For more information, contact the Environmental Protection Agency at www.epa.gov/radon

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