Definition
Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from soil into homes. It's harmless in small amounts, but long-term exposure is a real lung cancer risk—no different from smoking.
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Radon is colorless, odorless, and invisible; testing is necessary to detect it. EPA recommends testing all homes and treating levels above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Radon enters through foundation cracks, concrete pores, and unsealed openings. Mitigation systems—typically soil depressurization beneath the foundation—vent radon safely outside. Costs range from $800-2,500. Radon risk varies by geography; high-risk areas include parts of the Midwest and Rocky Mountain states.
Pro Tip
Test every home for radon. If levels are elevated, mitigation is affordable (usually $800-$2,500) and dramatically reduces your lung cancer risk.
Example
A radon test of a home in Colorado revealed 8.2 pCi/L, above EPA action level. Installation of a radon mitigation system with soil depressurization and vent stack reduced levels to 1.5 pCi/L.