Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. It's a radioactive gas that seeps into your home right now — undetected. 1 in 15 US homes has dangerous levels.
Radon (Rn-222) is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It decays into radioactive particles that lodge in lung tissue, causing cellular damage that leads to cancer.
Radon forms from the natural decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It exists everywhere — but concentrations indoors can reach lethal levels.
You cannot detect radon with any of your senses. No color. No smell. No taste. The only way to know your exposure level is to test.
Americans killed by radon-related lung cancer annually
Have radon levels at or above the EPA action level of 4 pCi/L
Second only to smoking — and the #1 cause among non-smokers
Radon forms in soil and rock through the natural decay of uranium. It seeps through any gap in your foundation — and accumulates in enclosed spaces.
The most common entry point. Even hairline cracks allow radon to seep in.
The gap where your floor meets the foundation wall is a major entry route.
Uncovered sump pits are direct channels from radon-rich soil into your home.
Utility penetrations through the foundation create pathways for radon entry.
Homes with crawl spaces are at particularly high risk — radon concentrates there.
Testing is fast, cheap, and the only way to know your risk. There is no excuse not to test.
Charcoal canister test. Place in lowest livable area. Mail to lab. Results in days. Best for initial screening.
Find a KitAlpha track detector. More accurate than short-term. Captures seasonal variation. Recommended for definitive results.
Find a KitConducted by a certified professional. Required for real estate transactions. Most accurate and legally defensible.
Find a ProEPA-approved test kits available nationwide · State radon programs may offer free kits
Below EPA action level. Continue to monitor. Consider a long-term test for confirmation.
Approaching the EPA action level. Consider mitigation, especially if you spend significant time in lower levels.
Above EPA action level. Mitigation is strongly recommended. Risk of lung cancer increases significantly.
Critically elevated. Immediate mitigation required. Risk is comparable to smoking a pack of cigarettes per day.
Confirm your radon level with a certified test. Short-term tests give quick results; long-term tests are more accurate.
A certified radon mitigation contractor installs a sub-slab depressurization system — the most effective solution.
After mitigation, retest to confirm levels are below 4 pCi/L. Retest every 2 years or after major renovations.
A one-time fix that lasts decades. Cheaper than one year of smoking.
The EPA's comprehensive radon resource — testing, mitigation, and state programs.
Visit ResourceThe U.S. Surgeon General has issued a national health advisory about indoor radon.
Visit ResourceCall for free test kits, local referrals, and radon information. Available nationwide.
Visit Resource