Why Should I Test for Radon?

Why You Should Test Your Home for Radon

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate inside homes without any visible warning signs. Because it cannot be seen or smelled, the only way to know if radon levels are elevated in your home is through professional radon testing. Testing for radon is an important step in protecting your family’s health and ensuring your home has safe indoor air quality.

What Is Radon?

Radon forms naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and groundwater. As the gas moves through the ground, it can enter homes through cracks in foundations, basement floors, crawlspaces, sump pits, and other openings. Once inside, radon can become trapped and build up to unsafe levels.

Radon is found in homes across the United States, including Colorado, which is considered a high radon potential area due to local geology.

Radon Is a Serious Health Risk

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer overall and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels can significantly increase the risk of developing lung cancer over time.

Because the effects of radon exposure may take years to appear, testing your home now is an important step in protecting your long-term health.

Radon Levels Can Vary from Home to Home

One of the most important things to understand about radon is that levels can vary significantly between neighboring homes. Even houses built next to each other can have very different radon levels depending on:

• Soil composition beneath the home

• Foundation construction type

• Ventilation and air pressure differences

• Cracks or openings in the foundation

Because of this variation, testing results from a neighbor’s home cannot determine the radon levels in your own home.

The EPA Recommends Testing All Homes

The EPA recommends that all homes be tested for radon, regardless of age, location, or construction type. Radon can be present in:

• New construction homes

• Older homes

• Homes with basements

• Homes built on slabs

• Homes with crawlspaces

Testing is especially important when buying or selling a home, as it provides valuable information about the property’s indoor air quality.

When Should You Test for Radon?

Radon testing is recommended in several situations:

• When purchasing a home

• During a home inspection

• If your home has never been tested before

• After installing a radon mitigation system

• Following major renovations or foundation work

Regular testing helps ensure radon levels remain within safe limits.

What Radon Levels Are Considered Unsafe?

Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA recommends taking action if radon levels reach 4.0 pCi/L or higher.

If elevated levels are detected, a radon mitigation system can be installed to safely reduce radon concentrations in the home. Most mitigation systems use a fan and piping system to draw radon gas from beneath the foundation and vent it safely outside above the roofline.

Professional Radon Testing Provides Reliable Results

Professional radon testing uses specialized continuous radon monitors that measure radon levels over a set period of time. These devices provide accurate, reliable results and ensure the testing process meets industry standards.

Testing is typically completed over 48 hours, and the results provide homeowners and buyers with clear information about the radon levels in the property.

Protect Your Home and Your Health

Because radon has no smell, no color, and no immediate symptoms, testing is the only way to know if your home has elevated levels. Fortunately, if radon is detected, proven mitigation systems are available to reduce levels and improve indoor air quality.

Testing your home for radon is a simple and affordable step that can protect your health and provide peace of mind for you and your family.