Let’s assume for a moment that you’ve already tested your home for radon gas — if you have then excellent — and you discovered elevated levels. The next step is obvious, it’s time to seek a pro radon contractor and hire them to install a mitigation system.

The first thing you’ll want to do is become familiar with the various radon mitigation methods. Even if you don’t understand each process in full, it will provide you with the knowledge you need to assess what a pro radon contractor recommends. For instance, if they tell you that you’ll need either passive subslab suction or a drain-tile suction system you should probably ensure you’re somewhat familiar with the difference between the two.

We’re going to explore the different mitigation methods a bit later.

Obviously, before a contractor can come to your home, perform the necessary tests and walk you through the mitigation procedure – you need to hire one.

When you hire a certified pro radon contractor they will analyze your residence and help you decide the best method for radon gas reduction. Not only that, they will ensure the mitigation system is working properly – a luxury that DIY projects do not offer.

Why Hire a Pro Radon Contractor?

Image by SWAT Environmental

The EPA recommends that you hire a certified pro radon mitigation contractor for several reasons. Without the proper equipment and training, it is actually possible to increase radon levels thus putting any residents in your home at a greater risk.

Furthermore, because several methods can be used to reduce radon, a contractor will be able to help select the appropriate one for your home. It doesn’t just end after a system is put in place, however. In most cases, additional work is necessary. It may or may not require system tweaks or further installs depending on how high the radon levels actually are.

Some states will allow homeowners to install a mitigation system themselves as a DIY project, but we don’t recommend this for anyone.

What Do You Need to Look For When Hiring a Pro Radon Contractor?

There are a few things that you need to watch for when hiring a pro radon contractor. You want to be sure that the system being installed is making your home safer, and you want to make sure the people who are doing the work are responsible. To help out, we put together a few tips and suggestions that you should keep in mind during your search:

Hiring a Pro Radon Contractor

Make sure that the individual or company you are hiring for the project is on the National Certified list (NEHA/NRSB). Don’t just take their word for it. Certified contractors have been to school which means they’ve passed tests on radon mitigation. In order to keep their certification, they must continue to take classes on the material. If you allow a non-certified contractor to install a system they could end up doing more harm than good. If a system is not up to EPA standards in some States it’s possible that homeowners will have to pay additional costs to get it up to par.

Ask contractors to provide you with a copy of their Liability and Workers Compensation insurance certificate. If they do not have insurance or workers comp then you will be at a very great financial risk should any of those who are employed become injured on your property.

Ensure the mitigation system and included fans – where applicable – are guaranteed and covered under a warranty. If the system does not work properly after install, the contractors must return and fix it at no cost to you. If the fans and related components malfunction, you will need to have them replaced. A guarantee will protect you in the event something isn’t working properly and a warranty will protect any of the components should they break or malfunction.

Ask for previous work references and recommendations. If the contractor cannot give them seek them yourself. If there is no previous record of the contractors work then tread lightly. Another way to check references is to ask for addresses where the contractors previously did work. You can visit said addresses during an appropriate hour and speak to the residents.

Make sure the contractor is, or is working directly with a licensed electrician. In certain states it is illegal to perform electrical work without the proper credentials.

As you can see, the tips mentioned above are to ensure your safety and finances in the event of an accident. You never know what could go wrong during a home renovation project so you should take every precaution available

While you are choosing a potential contractor you can also use our pro radon contractor checklist. It will help you find the best man – or woman – for the job!

What Are the Different Types of Mitigation Systems?

When a pro radon contractor enters your home and makes a suggestion on the mitigation system you’ll need, you should be somewhat familiar with the lingo. It makes sense, after all as you’d likely do a bit of research on any other home renovation project before hiring outside help.

This readout may not explain each mitigation system type in full, but it does offer you information on when they should be used, how effective they are and what the estimated costs might be. It’s enough to get you in the know and that’s what matters.

How Can You Find a Pro Radon Contractor?

Tracking down a trusted or certified pro radon contractor can seem daunting. However, in reality it’s actually pretty simple.

First, visit the Department of Health website for the state you currently reside in. From there you should be able to find information regarding indoor air quality, or more specifically radon. The Department of Health compiles a list of all the professionals that are qualified to perform radon mitigation work in the state. Most states require companies to register with the DOH otherwise they risk losing their certification.

You can use the DOH lists as a reference to track down a few certified pro radon contractors in your area. Generally, the lists include all of the info you need to get in touch, such as the service area, business name, address and telephone number. Such lists also include up-to-date expiration information for each contractor’s certification. There may or may not be out of state contractors that also provide services in your particular state. If that is the case their contact information will be listed on the department of health DOH registry along with all of the other qualified pro radon contractors in your state.

You can also use our National Radon Directory for more resources, or request a free mitigation quote from a recommended pro radon contractor.

If you’d rather visit an external source, you can always visit the NRPP (National Radon Proficiency Program) pro radon contractor database. All listed companies and individuals have been officially certified to offer radon testing or mitigation services.

What to Expect from a Pro Radon Contractor

Pro radon contractors will visit your residence and provide you with a free on-site and firm cost estimate. During that time you should also be able to view pictures of previous work the contractor has done and ask any questions you have. The individual or company involved will likely offer you a definitive plan for the project.

Before any work begins you must comb through the contract to ensure you, your home and the pending mitigation system are protected from anything shady. At no time should the contractor become irate or give you a difficult time if you need an explanation on various portions of the contract. Pay close attention to the installation guarantee and warranties covering hardware components or fans for your mitigation system.

Once a contract has been drawn up, the contractor should begin performing diagnostic tests in your home. This allows them to detect many elements as they relate to the radon levels in your home. With a diagnostic test they will be able to gauge air flow, patterns and more.

After the installation, the contractor will need to monitor the system to ensure it is working properly. If the system does not lower the radon levels in your home – and sometimes this can happen – they must take the proper measures to remedy the problem. In some cases this would mean installing a second system, or tweaking the original one. It is the contractor’s duty to choose the proper mitigation system for your home, so it should be their responsibility if the one installed does not work properly.

A contractor should never perform the final level tests on your home. They should work with you to hire or contact an outside testing professional. The extra tests will serve as proof that the mitigation system is working as it should. To be honest, a follow-up test is also in the contractor’s best interests as it can protect them should things go wrong with the system in the future – it’s proof that it was working at one time or another.

Will a Pro Radon Contractor Also Test Radon Levels in a Home?

A pro radon contractor can and will test radon levels in your home with their own equipment and this is perfectly acceptable, however there are some cases where you might want an outside source to check their accuracy. For example, after a radon mitigation system has been installed it’s a good idea to have a third party test the levels to cover both you and the contractor should something go wrong, or should the levels change.

Before you decide to install a radon mitigation system you may also use a separate pro radon contractor to test the levels in your home. In fact, we recommend you do so to begin with, that way they can offer suggestions for potential mitigation systems. You also have the option to hire a third party or perform the test yourself if you are so inclined.

When testing for radon gas, you do have the option to test yourself with a DIY testing kit. You can purchase those at any local hardware store or online, and they’re not very expensive. However, due to limitations in the testing process we always recommend hiring an experienced professional to do this for you. In addition, you’ll have to mail the samples to a remote laboratory where the amount of radon gas can be analyzed. There are many ways this process can be interrupted, for example if you don’t leave the testing kit out for long enough — or if you don’t seal them up properly.

It’s good to know the option is always there to do it yourself when testing for radon gas, but the reality is you should probably just hire a professional. Of course, that just relates to testing for radon gas. When it comes to mitigation and the removal of the deadly gas from your home, you should always hire an experienced professional.

Mitigation Law Requirements

While there are no laws that specifically address testing for radon gas in your own home, there are some states that prohibit anyone but licensed professionals from installing a mitigation system.

Just to offer a quick lesson, a mitigation system is a ventilation system used to pump concentrated amounts of radon gas out of a home and out into the open air where it can be dispersed more evenly. It often involves running a pipe-based system under the foundation slab of the home, and connecting it to an electric fan that blows the radon gas out of the home.

Since radon gas seeps up — it’s dense — through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring it’s best for the mitigation system to ventilate it at the bottom layer.

Image by SWAT Environmental

Once a mitigation system is setup, it needs to be running constantly in order for the radon to remain ventilated. In this respect, it means the mitigation system must be operating to its highest capacity at all times. If you put in a mitigation system yourself — unless you happen to be a certified contractor — there’s a chance you won’t know how to fix the problem when something goes wrong. Worse yet, you could install a mitigation system that you believe to be working, but is only making things worse. How is this possible?

Generally, the pipes and ventilation system needs to run through the rest of the home and out of the roof. Resourceful contractors will run this pipe on the outside of the home, but sometimes it is passed through the interior. If there’s a leak in the pipe system the radon gas could actually be spread through the home. That’s why it’s best to leave the mitigation process to professionals.

Testing for Radon Gas Yourself

Now that we’ve addressed mitigation, we’ll get back to discussing the testing for radon gas process. What if you want to test yourself, and don’t trust a professional to give an unbiased and truthful reading?

Testing for radon gas in your home is entirely possible to do yourself, but you’ll need to follow a strict set of guidelines before and while doing so. Before you can start testing for radon gas, you need to understand how it’s done and what the different radon levels mean.

Let’s get started.

Testing for Radon Gas: Long Term and Short Term Tests

The two types of tests are related to the length of time it takes to get an accurate reading. Because radon levels are affected by many different variables, they can fluctuate at different times of the year. In that respect, short term tests only provide insight as to radon levels during the time of testing. Long term tests, on the other hand will allow you to track the levels of radon in your residence for an extended period of time. As a general rule, when testing for radon gas in your home it’s best to use both types of testing kits.

Short term tests call for a testing device that remains in the residence anywhere from a 2 to 90 day period. Long term tests remain in the home for longer than 90 days at a time. Radon contractors can perform both types of tests in your home, but more than likely will run several short term tests to gather a reading.

The EPA recommends that if the results are anywhere close to 4 pCi/L you should perform a follow-up test shortly after. Start with a short term test and if the results show elevated levels then retest using long-term standards.

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air, or pCi/L. The average outdoor level of radon gas is 0.4 pCi/L, while the average indoor level is approximately 1.3 pCi/L. As you can see, the recommended limit is much higher than both of those numbers. It is possible for any and all residences to maintain a level of 2 pCi/L or below. The recommended limit of 4 pCi/L is the absolute maximum radon levels should ever go inside any residence. Levels higher than that are extremely dangerous in terms of exposure. That’s why it’s important that you begin testing for radon gas in your home as soon as possible.

How to Start Testing for Radon Gas?

The first thing you need to do is purchase a radon testing kit. For a quick comparison on the different types and ratings, please visit our radon test kit comparison page. Once you actually have the testing kit in hand, you can follow the steps listed here to find out the radon levels in your home.

You will need to decide upon a proper testing location before you begin. It should be a room or area of your residence where you spend most of your time. It’s a good idea to test in the lowest levels possible, such as a basement or the first story of your home. Never place a test in a kitchen or bathroom, because it is possible to receive false results due to appliances and other variables.

Most testing kits include two vials for collecting samples, and a form with information about a mailing address and prices. Once you have completed the testing period you will need to send the vials in the mail to a laboratory in order to receive results. Because of the mailing process the results can take a while to receive, which means if you need results in a shorter period of time you’re better off hiring a qualified radon tester or contractor.

Before you begin testing for radon gas in your home, you will need to lock down the entire residence. Leave all of your doors and windows leading outside closed and sealed for at least 12 hours prior to conducting the test.

Once you’ve done everything listed above you can actually begin testing for radon gas. You will need to place the two sample vials about 20 inches off of the floor, and six inches apart from each other. You can use a measuring tape to approximate the recommended distances.

After the vials have been placed, you can remove the caps. It is very important that you wait a minimum of 48 hours, but no more than 96 hours (two to four days) before placing the caps back on the vials. In addition, you should never disturb the vials in any way. Make sure you have placed them in a location where they will not be disturbed.

Try to avoid opening any doors or windows during the testing period and do not use any temperature coolers during that time, like air-conditioners or evaporative cooling units. As an added precaution, make sure any and all fans have been turned off in the residence. Again, it’s important that you do very little to disturb the air or vials inside the testing location.

When the time is up, place the caps back on the vials and send them to the appropriate laboratory along with the necessary resources – which is usually an information form and a check to cover applicable fees. It is recommended that you mail the vials within a day or two so that the lab can return accurate results.

The laboratory will either mail the results back to your home or post them online, depending on the service and brand you’ve chosen for your test.

Obviously, if you hire a professional and they begin testing for radon gas you will need to follow the same steps listed here but someone else will be conducting the air collection duties.

How Accurate Are Radon Testing Kits?

This is actually a difficult question to answer. The testing results can be easily swayed by a lot of different variables. The results are largely going to depend on the length of time you spend collecting samples, the time it takes for those samples to reach a lab or testing facility, and what the air situation is like in the testing residence. Simple things like opening doors or windows, or shuffling around the air inside a residence can cause testing anomalies and inaccurate results.

It’s also important to do multiple tests when you find there are elevated radon levels in a residence.

How Often Should You Be Testing for Radon Gas?

The radon levels can be affected by a great deal of things such as the current season, home improvements or appliance additions, living patterns and much more. It is important to perform a test whenever there is a change in your home. If you move from one level of the home to another, you should also perform a test to be sure the conditions are safe. Always remember to test the lowest levels that you live on, because radon gas is dense.

It is recommended that you start testing for radon gas in your home at least twice a year, similar to annual medical or dental check-ups. In the event that the levels are found to be high, it warrants at least one or two more tests so that the results can be compared.

To see a list of one time short term radon tests vs long term and continuous monitoring, check out our radon test comparison page.

How To Tell When Radon Levels Are Too High

Image by Lisa (Flickr)

According to the EPA, any amount of exposure to radon gas is unhealthy. If the levels in your residence are higher than 0.4 pCi/L you should look into proper radon mitigation procedures and methods.

The national average of outside radon levels is approximately 0.4 pCi/L, which is why the number was listed above as a reference point for mitigation. Depending on where you live, the levels outside of your home may be as high as 0.75 pCi/L. According to the National Academy of Sciences, outdoor radon levels cause approximately 800 of the 21,000 radon induced lung cancer deaths in the US each year. Furthermore, the risk of lung cancer increases significantly at higher radon levels. Lung cancer risk increases about 16% per every 2.7 pCi/L.

The US EPA has set an action level of 4 pCi/L, which means if the levels in your residence meet or exceed that amount you should take action immediately. While testing for radon gas, if you find levels to be that high you NEED to hire a professional so they can install a mitigation system in your home.

What To Do When Testing for Radon Gas Reveals Elevated Levels

If the radon levels in your home or residence are elevated then you must take action as soon as possible to reduce the presence of gas in your home. The first step in that process is selecting or hiring a certified radon mitigation contractor. A radon contractor will analyze your residence and help you decide the best method for radon gas reduction.

The type of residence and overall design will determine what kind of reduction system is going to be most effective. More specifically, the foundation of any residence will significantly impact the reduction method.

In houses with a basement, or crawlspace radon is reduced through four different types of soil suction: sub-slab suction, drain tile suction, sump hold suction and block wall suction. Sub-slab suction is actually one of the most common and most effective radon reduction methods. It involves running suction pipes below the floor or foundation directly into crushed rock or soil. The system basically vents out the radon gas before it can travel anywhere else.

Another method involves a device called a heat recovery ventilator (HRV), or air-to-air heat exchanger. It essentially creates ventilation to the outside by introducing fresh air into a residence, cooling or heating the new air at the same time. HRVs are actually more effective in confined areas like a basement, and must only be used when radon levels are well below 10 pCi/L.

You may or may not choose to seal your home better, but it should be noted that this will not reduce existing radon levels. Instead, sealing a home will only make a radon mitigation system more effective and should help prevent future gas from seeping in. It should never be used as a single method in radon reduction strategies.

Once a radon mitigation system is in place, you must also monitor and maintain it. It is an important part of the radon mitigation process even though it’s considered an extra step. Subsequent testing for radon gas in the home is required to ensure the mitigation system is working properly.

Image by Tom Courbat (Flickr)

Scientists agree that radon gas causes the most damage during long-term exposure. In fact, no one really knows what kind of effect the deadly gas has on the body in shorter time spans. Since it increases the risk of lung cancer, it’s likely that the total risk is increased for your lifetime after you’re exposed. This could mean you’ll get cancer after a year of exposure, or after several years — it really just depends.

Since radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in many countries — including the US, Canada, UK and more — it’s obvious that it’s a pretty serious issue. What really drives that point home, is that in the US alone there are more than 21,000 deaths each year due to radon-induced lung cancer. Yes, radon gas kills that many people every year in this country. It is a proven fact, not a myth.

Unfortunately, it can take a long time to test for radon gas and have a mitigation system installed if a problem is discovered. This is unfortunate, because sometimes it can leave families exposed to the deadly gas for a year or more.

Testing for Radon and Mitigation Takes Time, Increasing Your Exposure Risk

The way testing for radon works, it can take anywhere from a few months to a year to get the results. First, you want to conduct a short term test — whether you do-it-yourself or a hire a professional. This involves leaving the testing equipment in the home for several days and then sending it out to a lab for analyzation. If elevated levels are discovered, then it’s recommended to conduct a long-term test. This involves the same process, but leaving the testing equipment in the home for longer so as to get a better reading on the average levels in the home over an extended period. After the test has been finished, again the samples must be sent to a laboratory for analyzation. Finally, if all of these tests confirm elevated levels are indeed a problem in the home, it’s time to move on to the mitigation process. To sum it all up, testing for radon can take a long time and that’s not even factoring in mitigation.

During mitigation, a professional radon contractor will come to your home, assess the layout and then install a ventilation system to remove the gas from your home. Not to knock on contractors — some of them are quite efficient — but we all know how long projects like this can take. It seems like you hire a contractor for something and it takes forever, often longer than it should. This can be due to complications in the install process or it could just be due to the involvement and responsibilities of the work. Either way, it can take a long time.

Why does all of this matter you ask? During the time you’re testing for radon, and a mitigation system is being installed — if there is a problem — then your family is being exposed to radon gas during that time. This can lead to a year — sometimes even longer — that a family continues to be exposed to the deadly gas. This may not seem like much in the grand scheme, but when you add that to existing time your family might have been exposed it adds up.

Say you’ve been in your home for five years, and it takes another year to get everything squared away. It’s not tough to do that math. That’s a total of six years — maybe more — that you or your family were exposed to radon gas. That’s plenty of time for it to do damage to your bodies. Most people have no idea about testing for radon gas in their home and so they don’t do it for years. Awareness is a problem too, because it’s one of the biggest reasons why families are exposed to the deadly gas for so long.

Testing for Radon ASAP Is Important

Image by Yale Rosen

That is exactly why we say you need to act fast. Don’t waste time, start testing for radon today; whether you test it yourself or hire someone. You can pick up a DIY testing kit for $10 – $20 at any local hardware store or online. If you don’t want to handle it yourself, you can hire an experienced radon professional and often they’ll do a consultation for free — which may or may not include initial testing for radon.

It’s important to note, this is not a ploy on our part to sell a product, peddle radon mitigation contractors or professionals or even make money.  We have nothing to gain by informing you that you should be testing for radon gas. This is a serious problem and it needs to be addressed that’s exactly why we’re so adamant about it.

More than 21,000 Americans die each year due to radon-induced lung cancer. Yes, we repeated that stats and we’ll do it again. More than 21,000 die every year because of radon. Every year.

Need we say more? Start testing for radon gas as soon as possible. Begin the process — which could take a long time — before it’s too late. If most people affected by radon-induced lung cancer could go back and prevent the problem or at least try to, it’s likely they would do so. Exposure to radon gas is easily preventable. Don’t make the mistake of ignoring the problem.

We’ve established by now, that radon is a naturally occurring gas that seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring. However, as evidenced by the existence of radon gas in water supply there are other ways you can come into contact with the deadly gas. Although they might seem dangerous or scary, the only real danger is when it collects in great abundance in your home.

Still, it helps to know when and where you may encounter a radon gas source in the world around you.

Radon Gas Source: The Open Air

Image by Shadowgate

Believe it or not, a certain amount of radon gas exists in the open air. Yes, the air you breathe is a radon gas source.

The national average of outdoor radon levels is 0.4 pCi/L, but in some cases it can be as high as 0.75 pCi/L. The National Academy of Sciences estimates that outdoor radon levels are responsible for approximately 800 of the 21,000 radon induced lung cancer deaths in the country each year. While not quite as significant as the total number of those affected by radon, it is enough to make a difference.

That explains why it is so important to limit exposure to elevated levels of radon gas. Seeing as many of us are already exposed to the silent killer in some form or another, it’s never good to increase total exposure, especially in concentrated amounts. You’re never truly far from a radon gas source.

Radon Gas Source: Rocks and Building Materials

You may have heard claims that radon gas can enter your home after being released by a granite countertop or similar building materials. This is true, however the likelihood of this source being hazardous to ones health is low. Radon does seep out of various rocks and natural materials in extremely small amounts. This alone, is not enough to cause a significant buildup in your home or residence. Of course, if you already have elevated levels in your home this can certainly make things worse.

If you’re truly concerned about granite countertop or similar materials you can purchase testing kits that will tell you how much radon they’re giving off.

Radon Gas Source: The Water Supply

A certain amount of radon gas can enter the home — and your body — through a water supply. More often than not, like with granite countertops, it’s not a high enough concentration to cause a problem. However, there have been cases where high amounts of radon gas have been found in a water supply. Generally, this is when a well is involved — as the gas can be trapped inside. You may or may not find traces of radon gas in a treated city-based water supply.

While it is debated, health risks associated with radon ingestion — through a water supply — seem to be almost negligable. You’re most at risk when the radon daughters and particles are absorbed by the lungs.

Radon Gas Source: Your Home

Image by Lisa (Flickr)

Not all homes have elevated levels of radon, but enough do that it should concern every homeowner. It is estimated that every one in fifteen homes in the country have elevated levels within.

Radon gas seeps in through cracks in the foundation, walls and flooring. It’s a natural decay product of elements such as Uranium, commonly found in the soil and rock underneath our feet — and our homes.

Once it seeps inside a home, it collects in concentrated amounts and does not dissipate as its a remarkably dense gas. Opening doors and windows won’t help anything either. In fact, in many cases it may even make the problem worse.

The only way to remove radon from a home is to install a mitigation system. The problem, however is detecting the gas. It’s invisible and virtually undetectable: odorless, colorless and tasteless. The only way to discover whether or not its a problem is to test specifically for it. Luckily, you can purchase a DIY testing kit at any local hardware store or online for relatively cheap ($10 – $20). Sadly, most people don’t even have a clue it’s a danger, let alone that it could be lurking in their home.

Radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in many countries — not just the US. Here in the states, it’s responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 each year. As you can see, it’s a pretty serious issue any way you cut it.

According to the University of Iowa, the state has the highest average for indoor radon levels in the country. That should be alarming to Iowa residents considering radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the nation, responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 each year.

The biggest problem with radon gas is that it’s odorless, colorless and tasteless — meaning it’s virtually undetectable. Most homeowners or residents have no idea the gas is even lurking about. In fact, the only way to discover whether or not its a problem is to test specifically for it. Luckily, you can purchase a DIY testing kit for relatively cheap ($10 – $20) at any local hardware store or online. However, if you never test your home, you’ll never know it’s killing you.

Iowa May Require Builders to Pre-Install Radon Mitigation Systems

That may soon change, as the Iowa Senate will be weighing in on legislation that requires builders to integrate radon mitigation systems in all new homes. This is done by running a series of pipes under the foundation, which are then connected to a fan that pumps the gas out and away. In some cases, if the radon mitigation system detects elevated levels of radon, then it will automatically activate the fan and clean out the home. In others, it runs constantly and keeps the home radon free at all times.

Of course, these pre-built radon mitigation systems will not include the fan. Instead, builders will run the pipeline as described. Later, if the homeowner discovers elevated levels they can have a fan installed which is much cheaper than installing a radon mitigation system from scratch.

For comparison, new radon mitigation systems cost anywhere from $1,200 to $2,500 depending on the size of the structure and who installs the setup. In other words, it could save homeowners about $1,000 should they discover elevated levels exist in their home at a later date.

Not only would this help new homeowners protect themselves and their families, it will also show everyone that it doesn’t matter what kind of home you live in — they are all susceptible. New homes, old homes, homes with basements, homes without, apartments, manufactured homes; they are all susceptible to radon gas.

Radon Mitigation Is Necessary to Protect Against Elevated Levels

Image by SWAT Environmental

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is released by elements such as Uranium, which are commonly found in the soil and rock underneath our feet. Once it seeps up from the surface it can enter homes, apartments or residences through cracks in the foundation, walls or flooring. Because the gas is so dense, it collects in great abundance — generally in lower levels of a home. That said, it can and will spread and that includes to first and second story homes even where there is a basement below.

Location doesn’t matter either. While some areas — such as Iowa — are more prone to the issue, radon gas exists everywhere. From greater New England, all the way down to Florida. From the Carolinas, all the way west to Cali. It’s not just a problem here in the US either. Other countries such as Canada, the UK and even Ireland have problems with the silent and deadly gas.

So, this bill under consideration in Iowa should truthfully be considered everywhere in the country. It’s enough that homeowners have to worry about various hazards like mold, mildew, toxic paints and chemicals and hazardous materials. Time and time again, we’ve continuously seen negligent builders who are not concerned with the health and wellness of the families that will be living in these homes, but instead their own coffers. Isn’t it time we started protecting ourselves from these glaring dangers? In the case of radon, have a mitigation system primed and ready to go in new homes — should radon gas rear its ugly head — is an exceptional idea.

Via: Iowa Public Radio

There are many people that doubt the fact that radon gas is hazardous to your health. You can even find several privately owned websites that claim to have evidence radon has been concocted — as something of a conspiracy — and totally fictional.

The truth is that radon gas can be extremely dangerous when you’re exposed to it over long periods of time. After all, it is directly responsible for increasing the risk of lung cancer. More than 21,000 Americans die each year thanks to radon-induced lung cancer. Worse yet, one in fifteen homes in the US are estimated to have elevated levels of radon gas within; and the homeowners probably have no idea. Since radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless it’s virtually undetectable. The only way to discover its presence is to test for it with special testing equipment.

Sadly, most people have no idea its such a problem and those who do seem to dismiss it entirely. It doesn’t matter how many health and wellness agencies declare it a problem. In case you’re wondering, here are a couple of those agencies and what they have to say about radon:

• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), which is part of the World Health Organization (WHO), has classified radon and its progeny as “carcinogenic to humans.”
• The National Toxicology Program (NTP) — comprised of several different US government agencies, including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — has classified radon as “a human carcinogen.”
• The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Forget the agencies that claim it’s hazardous what do they know anyway, let’s take a look at some scientific studies and evidence that it truly is dangerous. Perhaps that will convince you?

Scientific Studies on Radon Gas

Several studies were conducted, and they found that exposure to radon gas over long periods of time increases the risk of lung cancer. That risk eventually builds up until it overflows, which essentially means you’ll get the disease one way or another.

These studies were comprised of the following:

• Studies of underground miners working in areas with high levels of radon exposure. Most of these studies focused on workers in uranium mines. However, workers from other types of mines were also found to be at risk, and were also linked to high instances of lung cancer.
• Studies that compared the average radon levels in homes of those diagnosed with lung cancer with the levels found within homes of those that did not have the disease.
• Studies that compared the total number of lung cancer instances or deaths in areas with differing levels of radon exposure.
• Studies of lab animals show an increased risk for lung cancer after exposure to radon gas. These studies have also revealed, breathing in radon significantly increases the risk of lung tumors. The risk is increased exponentially if the animal breathes in cigarette smoke and radon. In addition, the risk of other cancers was increased, such as cancer of the lip, nasal cavity and bladder.
• Studies by the American Cancer Society found that people living in areas with elevated radon gas levels are at a higher risk of dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis).

All of these studies have shown that radon gas is hazardous to one’s health, though the true impact of exposure is highly debated. It is obvious that lung cancer risk is even greater in smokers who have also been exposed to radon.

In addition, lung cancer is not the only form of cancer or pulmonary ailment that’s been linked to radon gas. Several long term studies of uranium miners found they have a higher risk of contracting other types of cancer, as well. Unfortunately, since the miners — involved in those studies — were not exposed to elevated levels of radon gas, it is not clear whether or not radon is the cause of those cancers. They may instead be linked to uranium dust or other hazardous elements the workers encountered within the mines.

Radon Gas is Truly Hazardous to Your Health

The next time you — or anyone else you know — wants to raise the question whether or not radon gas is truly hazardous to your health, consider this: radon testing kits are available for less than $20 at any local hardware store or online. Wouldn’t it be smarter to test your home for the presence of this silent, yet deadly gas before making any assumptions?

If you do find elevated levels of radon gas within your home, don’t panic. It is not costly or expensive to fix the problem, despite what many may claim.

Secure your health and your family’s health. Test your home. Find the problem, if there is one. Take action.

One of the most common misconceptions about radon gas is that it’s a costly problem all around. That is indeed true, but it’s not costly for the reasons you may think. For instance, it’s often reported by news and media channels that once elevated levels of radon are discovered it will cost you a great deal of money to rid your home of this silent menace. That is quite simply not true, and we’re going to prove it to you.

But first, we’ll take a look at why radon is so costly, for a different reason.

Radon is Dangerous, and Costly for Your Health

Image by Lisa (Flickr)

Radon is not expensive financially, unless you allow it to wreak havoc on your own health and your family’s. You see, it’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in many countries including the US, Canada, and the UK. In America alone, it is responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 each year.

If you contract lung cancer, not only are you in serious danger you’re probably going to go bankrupt too. It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars for treatment on a single person. It also happens to be the form cancer with the highest mortality rate. This is because it’s difficult to detect early enough, which is the critical time for preventing serious damage to the body. Worse yet, lung cancer — as any form of cancer — can run rampant and spread throughout the body.

If you also smoke and you’re exposed to radon, then your chances of contracting lung cancer increase exponentially.

Of course, the risk is what is increased here so there are no guarantees you’ll get lung cancer from exposure to radon. Then again, it’s entirely possible to get lung cancer from even a few years or months of exposure. It all just depends.

The odd are not what matter in the long run, especially if you don’t want to end up being in the 21,000 that are affected by the silent killer.

Radon Testing is Not Costly

Photo by WPB Radon

Since radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless there is absolutely no way to detect its presence without using the appropriate testing equipment. This involves collecting air samples in the home, residence or business and then analyzing them for the radioactive gas in a lab.

As a homeowner, there are two routes you can take in order to test your home for the presence of radon gas. You can purchase a testing kit from any local hardware store or online and do it yourself, or you can hire an experienced professional with experience in the matter. If you decide to go with a professional be sure they have been certified by the state in which you live, and seek out their name or company on the state registered lists. You can find more information about that here. The reason we recommend seeking this information is because if elevated levels are discovered they will likely recommend a mitigation plan for your home, and you want to ensure any mitigation system is installed by a certified professional and not an imposter.

Testing requirements vary depending on the area in which you live and various regulations therein. Some states recommend testing once a year while others recommend every three to five years. However, we recommend testing twice a year. The Radon testing process in general can take quite some time to complete, and so can mitigation when necessary. Since long term radon exposure is what causes the most damage to your health, it’s best to reduce the amount of time that happens.

The two best seasons to test are in the winter and summer months. The weather does affect the levels of radon in a home, however that’s not why these seasons are best. During the winter and summer months you’re more likely to leave the windows and doors to your home sealed. During a radon test you want to be sure the home or residence being tested remains sealed as much as possible. This will allow for a more accurate reading of the radon levels in the home.

Furthermore, it’s always good to conduct a short-term test first, and then a long-term test if elevated levels are discovered after the first test. Subsequent evidence of elevated levels obviously calls for a mitigation system to be installed.

What are you looking for during testing? The US EPA has set a recommended action limit of 4.0 pCi/L. That means if levels exceed this limit one should install a mitigation system and plan to reduce the gas as quickly as possible. We recommend mitigation if levels exceed 2.0 pCi/L.

At exposure levels of 4.0 pCi/L it’s the equivalent of smoking nearly a half a pack of cigarettes per day in terms of risk for lung cancer. For each additional 15 pCi/L of radon gas, it’s the equivalent of a full pack of smoking a full pack of cigarettes. As you can see, the risk increases quickly.

As for cost, radon testing kits cost anywhere from $12 – $20 for a DIY package. You can find them online at marketplaces like Amazon, or at a local hardware store. As for signing on a professional to test your home, they will often offer a consultation for free. It should give you some idea of whether or not mitigation is required in your home.

Radon Mitigation is Not Expensive

Image by SWAT Environmental

When elevated radon levels are discovered it calls for mitigation, or the removal of the deadly radioactive gas from the home or residence. Those who know nothing of the process or the associated costs will claim it’s expensive.

Worse yet, there are realtors and sales agents who believe that mitigation is taboo. They seem to believe that the discovery of an installed mitigation system — or elevated radon gas — will sour a real estate sale. While this may be true in thought, the belief is misplaced.

The average cost of radon mitigation system can range from about $800 – $2400 depending on the size of the home or residence, location and the contractor chosen. That is a very small price to pay especially when compared to the cost of the average home in total, or the medical bills of someone with lung cancer.

Dealing with Radon is Not Costly

As you can see, dealing with a radon problem is not as costly as one might thing financially. Ignoring the problem can be so much more costly for one’s health, and that of a family living inside a home with elevated levels of radon gas. We strongly urge you to test your home for the presence of radon if you haven’t already done so. If elevated levels are discovered, get in touch with a local radon professional — make sure they are certified first.

For more information on radon gas, associated dangers and anything else related to it such as testing, mitigation and more you can browse Radon Resources or head on over to the US EPA page dedicated to radon.

Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. It’s responsible for the deaths of more than 21,000 Americans each year. That’s not even taking into account its impact in other countries. It’s also the second leading cause of lung cancer in places like Canada, Europe and more.

Unfortunately, few people are aware that it’s such a big issue. To make matters worse, the folks that do know about it, haven’t been properly educated. That is to say, there are dozens — if not hundreds — of myths and misconceptions floating around that only work to confuse people more.

Make no mistake about it people, radon gas is a severe problem and it affects all of us. It is estimated that every one in fifteen homes in the country have elevated levels of radon gas inside. Since it’s odorless, colorless and tasteless the only way to discover its presence is to test specifically for it.

The longer you are exposed to concentrated levels of radon gas, the higher your risk for lung cancer is. At the recommended action limit of 4.0 pCi/L — as set by the US EPA — exposure is the equivalent of smoking roughly a half a pack of cigarettes per day. For every additional 15 pCi/L, that jumps another full pack. You’d be surprised how many homes out there have elevated levels at 30 pCi/L or higher.

Common Myths About Radon Gas

To clear up some of the confusion, we’re going to explore some of those myths and misconceptions to identify why they’re wrong, and what the truth is.

• Scientists are not sure whether or not Radon is a problem – This is false, we know for sure it’s a problem there are just many debates on how extensive the dangers are.
• Radon testing is too difficult, expensive and time consuming – It is not any of these things.
• Home with elevated Radon levels cannot be fixed or lived in – a home with Radon issues can be fixed very quickly and easily in most cases, and is most certainly still livable.
• Radon only affects certain types of homes, including those built years ago – Radon can affect any home or location, it doesn’t matter.
• My neighbor has elevated Radon levels, so I probably do too – Radon levels can vary greatly from residence to residence, the only way to know for sure is to perform a test.
• You cannot sell a residence or business that previously had Radon problems – This is not true at all, in fact after a residence has been protected from future Radon problems most buyers would consider this a bonus.
• Radon only exists in the basement — This is not true; it may first seep into a home through the basement, but it can spread to other livable areas of the home.
• Mobile and manufactured homes are immune to radon — All homes are susceptible to radon
• You can lower radon levels by opening doors or windows — Not at all, in fact in some cases radon levels may even increase when you let more air inside your home. Ventilation is always good, but it’s not a viable solution to remove radon gas.
• Radon is a residential problem only — Radon can be a problem in any enclosed structure including commercial buildings, businesses and public buildings such as schools or libraries.

That about wraps it up for myths. If you’d like to read more general information about radon gas head on over to our dedicated page.

Testing for Radon Gas

Now that you’ve acknowledged radon is a problem and it may even be a risk in your home, where do you go next?

Your next step is to test your home for the presence of this deadly gas. You can either do it yourself — by purchasing a DIY kit at a local hardware store or online — or hire an experienced professional to come to your home and do the work. We recommend performing a short-term test in your home first, and then hiring an experienced professional if the results turn-up elevated levels.

Short-term tests are placed inside the home at the lowest livable area — this does not necessarily mean basement, this means the lowest livable space of your home that you frequent most. Never place a test in a kitchen or bathroom, because there are appliances that may affect the test samples.

Before beginning a test, lock down your home for twelve hours. During this time, minimize the opening and closing of both doors and windows as much as possible. Do not run any ventilation systems that run to the outside, and turn off all indoor fans.

When placing the sample vials, they must be at least 20 inches off the floor and six inches away from each other. After the vials have been placed, you can remove the caps. It is very important that you wait a minimum of 48 hours, but no more than 96 hours (two to four days) before placing the caps back on the vials. In addition, you should never disturb the vials in any way. Make sure you have placed them in a location where they will not be tampered with.

When the time is up, place the caps back on the vials and send them to the appropriate laboratory along with the necessary resources – which is usually an information form and a check to cover applicable fees. It is recommended that you mail the vials within a day or two so that the lab can return accurate results.

The laboratory will either mail the results back to your home or post them online, depending on the service and brand you’ve chosen for your test.

Obviously, if you hire a professional to do the test you will need to follow the same steps listed here but someone else will be conducting the air collection duties.

If your short-term test turns up elevated levels of radon, we recommend performing a long term test. This will provide you with a more accurate average of the levels in your home. As we recommended above however, you’re better off finding a professional when you discover elevated levels because they can walk you through the mitigation process if you find your home is a hot zone.

Radon Gas Mitigation and Removal

If you discover radon levels in your home that exceed 4.0 pCi/L then mitigation is absolutely necessary. Although, we recommend having mitigation done if your levels are above 2.0 pCi/L.

Image by SWAT Environmental

Radon mitigation is quite simply, installing a unique ventilation system that removes the radon gas from inside the home and pushes it out into the open air. Once dispersed, it is no longer as dangerous and hazardous because it is not concentrated. Keep in mind, the area above a radon ventilation duct can be dangerous, but generally these are placed high above the home — primarily on rooftops — out of reach.

When modern homes are constructed, they are built using radon-resistant measures. Unfortunately, they don’t always work. Things like a radon barrier — which is a thin sheet of plastic placed over the foundation — don’t always keep the dense gas out of a home.

In the most common form of mitigation performed, a ventilation duct or pipe is usually placed below the foundation or run through the floor in the lowest livable area. It is fed through the entire home, and out of the ceiling/roof so the radon gas can escape outside. A fan is connected to the system to help push the radon gas out from under the home. In most cases, this lowers the levels of radon gas inside. Further testing is always recommended after a mitigation system has been installed, just to ensure it’s in proper working condition. In fact, we recommend testing your home at least twice a year: once in the summer and another time in the winter.

The mitigation system described above may not work for all homes, which is why it’s good to hire a professional. They will assess radon problems on a case-by-case basis and decide what system will work best to remove it. They are also certified by the state, and appear on a National Certified list (NEHA/NRSB). Do not hire someone who claims to be certified, yet cannot provide proof. It’s best just to use the National Certified list to locate a local radon professional in your area.

Keep Your Home Safe from Radon Gas

In due time, you can ensure your home is free of radon, and safe for your family. In the grand scheme, testing for radon and having a mitigation system installed (when necessary) is well worth the invested time and cost. Lung cancer has one of the highest mortality rates of any form of cancer, and medical bills related to it can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Compared to a DIY radon test which is about $30, and a mitigation system which can run about $3,500 at its most expensive the cost of lung cancer is exponentially higher.

Test your home for radon — or have it tested — today.

A small village in Kazakhstan has become known as “sleepy hollow” or “sleepy valley,” because residents intermittently fall asleep and enter a catatonic state. For years, researchers have been trying to figure out what’s wrong with no luck. It appears that they may finally have their answer.

Radon gas.

Radon Gas is Responsible for ‘Sleepy Hollow’ Residents Becoming Lethargic and Catatonic

Doctor’s claim that extremely high levels of radon gas have seeped out of the ground, after being produced by a nearby Soviet-era uranium mine. This radon gas is slowly poisoning the residents, causing severe health issues, including the odd “sleeping” issues.

Just last summer, more than 60 residents in the area were hospitalized after showing signs of the strange illness, which left them dizzy, unable to stand and balance, and even seriously fatiqued. As a side effect they were also experiencing memory loss.

Even young children were being affected by the strange plague, remaining in bed and lethargic for several days at a time.

A rough estimation was given, and about one in five of the village’s 600 residents have been affected by the illness at some point.

Local resident Igor Samusenko, says that his son suffers from the ailment.

“He runs around and then he gets inert, starts staggering. When he turns his head his eyes stay fixed at what he was looking at. If you try to wake him it seems the wants to open his eyes but can’t. Sleepy valley, sleepy hollow, that’s what people call us.”

Professor Leonid Rikhvanov from the Department of Geo-ecology and Geo-chemistry finally concluded that the uranium mines were the cause of all the trouble. At first he believed that a virus or type of bacteria was the root cause, but he eventually ruled this theory out.

Rikhvanov’s take on the whole thing is: “The mines left open spaces underground which were slowly filled with water that has risen upwards, driving pockets of gas inside them to the surface. The gas has a toxic effect that pushes a person into a dream like state, and the person then falls asleep.”

Radon Gas Was Found to Be the Problem

For years, the professor — with help from the Tomsk Polytechnic University — has carried out hundreds of different experiments in an attempt to discover the source of the problem. In all that time, they never factored in radon as a possibility simply because it’s so hard to detect. Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas, which means it’s virtually undetectable. In fact, the only way to discover its presence is to test exclusively for it.

“We eliminated viral and bacterial infections but also obtained test results that ruled out the possibility of radiation sickness too. We also failed to find any evidence that toxic chemicals were buried in the area as many locals claimed.”

Medical professionals found themselves stumped because villagers were constantly examined to have excessive fluid in the brain, and they didn’t understand why or how it was happening.

Doctor Egor Korovin, the acting physician for many of the examined villagers, said: “In medical terms they are suffering from encephalopathy, a disorder of the brain but the cause is unclear. Scans have shown that many of the sufferers have excessive accumulation of fluid in their brains.”

Radon Gas is Extremely Hazardous to One’s Respiratory Health

Image by Yale Rosen

It just does to show that radon — a naturally occurring radioactive gas — can be extremely hazardous to one’s health. After seeing and hearing what it’s doing to these villagers, it’s not a stretch to believe that radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US, UK, Canada and many other countries. In just the US alone, more than 21,000 Americans die each year due to radon-induced lung cancer.

There are many studies that show prolonged exposure to radon gas is bad for respiratory health and general health, however very few reveal what actually happens when people are bombared with extremely high levels of the gas.

In September 2014, a Russia Today film crew took some time to test the area, to get some idea about the radon levels. In turn, they reported that the locals were subjected to radiation doses 16 times higher than expected from background radiation near the underground mine. In other words, those radiation levels, and the radon gas causing it are collecting in great abundance throughout the area.

As for how they locals are going to handle the problem, village officials are proposing to move the entire town away from the problem area. In hindsight, it seems like one of the only surefire things that will solve the problem. When radon is inside a home or enclosed space you can install a mitigation system to ventilate the gas. However, when radon is in such an abundance in the open area and surrounding environment, there’s little you can do but vacate the area. It begs the question, what other areas across the world are affected by this deadly — yet invisible — gas?