Radon Risk Information
Radon causes lung cancer by means of the decay of its daughter products after breathing in air contaminated with higher levels of Radon. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 5% of lung cancers worldwide are caused by exposure to elevated indoor levels of Radon. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year in the US alone. Radon gas is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Surgeon General, and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly recommend that ALL homebuyers have an indoor radon test performed prior to purchase or taking occupancy and recommend having the radon levels professionally mitigated if elevated radon concentrations are found.
Understanding Radon Test Results
Recommended Action Levels vary by country and typically range from 3 pCi/L (100 Bq/m3) to 8 pCi/L (300 Bq/m3). Recommendations below are based on test results by a Continuous Radon Monitor (CRM) Test of at least 24h duration and are based on recommendations by the EPA.
Measured Average Radon Level:
- At or above 4.0 pCi/L (148 Bq/m3): Corrective measures to reduce exposure to radon gas is strongly recommended (ANSI МАН 2014).
- Between 2-4 pCi/L (74-148 Bq/m3): Consider mitigation or periodic retest as indoor Radon levels vary by season and weather conditions.
Below 2 pCi/L (74 Bq/m3): Consider bi-annual retest or whenever significant changes to the home’s structure or mechanical systems occurred.