There is a frequent misunderstanding that you are safe if your radon test results indicate radon levels below the EPA action limit. But consider this: if your 6-month dental check-up reveals no cavities, does that guarantee you’ll never need to return for another exam? Don’t allow radon to creep up on you and your family without your knowledge.
According to the American Lung Association, this tasteless, odorless, and colorless gas is found in hazardous levels in one out of every 15 houses in the United States. Home kits make it simple to test for radon, but testing once is insufficient. Like dental or medical check-ups, radon testing should be done regularly, at least twice a year.
What is Radon?
First, a brief refresher. Radon is an odorless gas produced by uranium, present in all types of soil and rock. Being exposed to radon daily, severe health problems can develop when this radioactive gas becomes trapped indoors. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers, making it the second-largest cause of lung cancer in the United States. Radon levels are high in every state across the country, in every style of home or structure, regardless of age or basement presence.
Why A Short-Term Radon Test is Insufficient
No two houses are alike, just as no two individuals. Radon levels can also differ across neighbors, so don’t depend on their findings to decide whether or not to test for radon. A one-time test is ideal for determining the radon levels in your house at that time. However, the only way to assure you are safe from the impacts of radon is to monitor levels over time, which requires regular testing.
Here are the factors why you should test your radon levels regularly:
Changing seasons
Radon levels fluctuate seasonally as the soil surrounding your house becomes drier or wetter. If your most recent radon test was negative, try scheduling your next radon test during a different season. Rather than waiting two years to test again in the spring, consider checking radon levels a few months early in the winter.
Moving lower
If you relocate to an unoccupied floor of your house, especially a basement or partially underground ground floor, you should do a new radon test on the occupied space. Complete your radon testing before relocating into a basement location, even if it means postponing usage for a few months.
Home modifications
Major house renovations, particularly those involving structural alterations or foundation repairs, can cause the emission of radon. Gas can enter through gaps in the foundation or walls, structural joints, and holes in the floor or service pipes. The ventilation and soil beneath your home might be affected, offering additional chances and routes for radon to infiltrate your home.
Changes in living patterns
If you decide to start utilizing the basement as an office, bedroom, or children’s playroom, you’ll be spending more time in locations where radon is most likely to develop. Radon tests must be done before anything else to ensure that you are not putting your health at risk.
Another widespread assumption is that once a mitigation device is installed, no additional testing is required. While these systems can significantly lower the quantity of radon in your home, they cannot entirely remove it. It is critical to do testing every few years to confirm that your system is operating correctly and that radon levels stay low.
