What is radon?

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. You cannot smell, taste or feel radon in the air. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the foundation. The US EPA has established the action level for deciding when you need to do something about the radon in your home, school, or work place at 4 pCi/liter.

What radon action level do other countries use?

Canada recently lowered it's action level to 200 Bq/m3 (equal to 5.4 pCi/L). Presently Australia, Ireland, Sweden and the UK also use 200 Bq/m3 as the recommended action level. It is highly unlikely that the US EPA will raise the recommended action level from it's present 4.0 pCi/l level (150Bq/m3) to 5.4 pCi/L.

Should I get radon "check ups" for my home? Does the radon level vary?

If you have a home in which radon mitigation work has been done, I suggest an annual screening test. If your home has had modifications to the heating or air conditioning system, or if you have had extensive renovation work done, I recommend that a radon test upon completion of such work. Radon levels will vary by time of day, season, air temperature, precipitation, open or closed interior doors, wind, and moisture.

How To Use a Test Kit:

Follow the instructions that come with your test kit. If you are doing a short-term test, close your windows and outside doors and keep them closed as much as possible during the test. Heating and air-conditioning system fans that re-circulate air may be operated. Do not operate fans or other machines which bring in air from outside. Fans that are part of a radon-reduction system or small exhaust fans operating only for short periods of time may run during the test. If you are doing a short-term test lasting just 2 or 3 days, be sure to close your windows and outside doors at least 12 hours before beginning the test, too. You should not conduct short-term tests lasting just 2 or 3 days during unusually severe storms or periods of unusually high winds. The test kit should be placed in the lowest lived-in level of the home (for example, the basement if it is frequently used, otherwise the first floor). It should be put in a room that is used regularly (like a living room, playroom, den or bedroom) but not your kitchen or bathroom. Place the kit at least 20 inches above the floor in a location where it won't be disturbed - away from drafts, high heat, high humidity, and exterior walls. Leave the kit in place for as long as the package says. Once you've finished the test, reseal the package and send it to the lab specified on the package right away for analysis. You should receive your test results within a few weeks.