In the US, radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. Radon gas is a colorless, odorless, tasteless naturally occurring radioactive gas. Radon comes up from the earth and normally dissipates into the atmosphere without harm. Your home is at risk because the radon gas gets trapped in your home and levels rise in your home air environment. Fortunately, radon test kits are simple, affordable and easy to use.

There are two basic types of consumer-friendly radon testing devices available to the public, passive (no power source needed) and active (power source needed). You can order a test kit and set it up yourself or you can hire a professional to perform the test.

Typical passive devices are simple charcoal canisters that are opened and placed in selected locations in your home. Radon gas in the air moves toward the canister and becomes adsorbed into the charcoal. Once the instructed time period has passed (2-7 days), the canister is sent back to the supplier who tests the absorbed radon.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strongly recommends mitigating if a radon test reads 4 pCi/L or higher. If the radon level shows at or above 2 pCi/L, the EPA recommends that consumers consider mitigation.

There are several methods used to mitigate radon levels in your home or office. A professional will need to evaluate the design of the structure, levels of radon and soil type around and under the structure. Testing for radon is the first step in the process of eliminating your home of this highly dangerous gas and fortunately today, radon test kits are widely available to the public.