January was National Radon Action Month, learn more about the health risk of radon and the importance of “testing your nest!” Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that that can enter homes from the ground and build up to dangerous levels. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year, yet many people don’t know about radon or the risk it can pose to their family and children's health.
Radon is colorless and odorless, the only way to know if you have high radon levels is to “test your nest!” Testing for radon is easy, inexpensive and you can do it yourself. Test kits can be purchased online or be performed by a qualified professional.
EPA recommends that homes with a radon test result of 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more be mitigated with a radon system installed by a professional. Because there is no known safe level of radon, consider fixing your home if it tests between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L.
Contact your state or tribal radon program to learn more about programs in your area.