What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas you can't see see, smell, or taste.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is the byproduct of the radioactive decay of uranium found in rocks and soils throughout the world. Uranium breaks down to radium, and radium eventually decays into the gas radon.
Radon is odorless, colorless, and tasteless.
Radon gas is less dense than soil so it will move upwards and can leak into homes and and buildings through cracks and openings in floors and walls.

How Does Radon Enter
Homes and Buildings?

Radon occurs in the ground naturally, but can leak into homes through cracks and openings in floors and walls.

Within the home, radon gas becomes trapped causing it to build up to dangerous levels and become a health risk.

Radon can be found in both new and old homes.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in people with no smoking history and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall.

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate of any cancer, claiming as many lives each year as breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers combined.

The higher the radon level in your home and the longer you are exposed, the greater your risk of developing lung cancer.

Children have almost twice the risk of lung cancer from radon exposure as adults exposed to the same concentrations of radon.

Mitigation is the process of reducing radon concentration in homes and buildings.

The two common types of radon mitigation systems are:

Sub-Slab Suction

Takes radon from the home's foundation and vents it outside.

Drain Tile Suction

A pipe goes into the drain tile, and vents the radon outside.

There are other ways of mitigating radon in homes,

however the method is decided based upon the home itself.

To learn more about radon mitigation, and why what methods are selected click here

Radon levels are usually measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L)
There is no known safe level of radon exposure, however the EPA recommends that if a level is over 4 pCi/L in a building for the building to be mitigated
The EPA estimates that one in fifteen homes has over four pCi/L
One in three home in Missouri have high radon levels according Missouri's DHSS

There are two types of at home test you can do: short-term, long-term, and professional testing.

Short-term: Remains in the home for 3-7 days and is meant for quick results

Long-term: Remains in the home for over 90 days

Professional Testing: Certified radon testers can be hired for a more detailed analysis and
mitigation planning if needed.

Quick Tips For The Kit:

Place the device in the lowest level of your home
It is recommended that you place the device in the " breathing zone", or between 2-6 feet off the ground and two feet below the ceiling
Follow the manufacturer direction exactly