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The EPA Recommends...
If you are planning on buying a home a home, have it tested for radon.
New homes, ask if anti-radon construction features have been used.
Fix the home if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher.
Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a risk, and may be reduced.
Take steps to prevent interference when conducting a radon test.
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas
You cannot see, smell or taste radon gas. But it may be a problem in your home. That's because when you breath air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today.  If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
Radon is naturally occurring, invisible, odorless, tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air, but which can reach harmful levels when trapped in buildings. Scientists have long been concerned about the health risk of radon, but never before has there been such overwhelming proof that exposure to elevated levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.
You should test for radon
Testing is the only way to find out your home's radon levels. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon.
You can fix a radon problem
If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.
If you are selling a home
EPA recommends that you test your home before putting it on the market and, if necessary, lower the radon levels. Save the test results and all information you have about steps that were taken to fix any problems. This could be a positive selling point.
If you are buying a home
EPA recommends that you obtain the indoor radon level in a home you are considering buying. Ask the seller for radon test results. If the home has a radon reduction system, ask the seller for information about the system.
Radon Testing
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, "All homes should be tested regardless of geographic location." To make a better informed decision as to whether you should request a Radon test we have provided the EPA's map of Radon Zones below. We recommend Radon testing in all areas, especially those in zones 1 and 2.
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Zone 1 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L |
Highest
Potential |
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Zone 2 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L |
Moderate
Potential |
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Zone 3 counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L |
Low
Potential |
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