What is Radon?

Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless, naturally occuring radioactive gas. It comes from the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil.

Radon enters your home through hollow block walls, cracks in the foundation floor and walls, and openings around floor drains, pipes and sump holes.

After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, and is estimated to cause approximately 15,000 deaths in the United States annually.

An estimated 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes have radon levels greater than the EPA guideline of 4 pCi/L.

How Do You Know If Your Home Has High Radon Levels?

You and your family are most likely to get your greatest exposure to radon at home.

The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test.

Testing is easy and inexpensive.

You may perform the test yourself using a Pennslyvania certified test device purchased at a home center/hardware store or from a Pennsylvania certified laboratory.

What Do Your Test Results Mean?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends that if your initial radon test result shows a level of 4 pCi/L or higher, you should confirm the rsult with a follow-up test. For homes with radon levels of 4 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends that you have a radon mitigation system installed to lower the radon levels.

When selling a home, the seller must disclose any known radon test results to the buyer.

How Can You Reduce Your Radon Levels?

Radon levels can be reduced by installing a radon mitigation system. The most common type of system uses an arrangement of plastic pipes and a fan to vent the radon gas to the outside air. The typical cost of a radon mitigation system is from $700 to $1,200.

Building a New Home?

Be sure to consider building with Radon Resistant New Construction Techniques. These new techniques can be effective in preventing radon entry and installing these features at the time of construction is easier and less expensive than retrofitting an existing home.