Radon in the Home
Radon is a naturally occurring odorless and invisible radioactive gas that can enter homes from the ground. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer and responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths per year in the US. There are no immediate effects of breathing in radon making it impossible to know when it has happened, but the radioactive particles will bounce around lungs causing damage to cells. The risks are greater for smokers, but everyone’s risk increases with the more radon they breath. Up to 40% of Pennsylvania homes may have radon levels above the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 4pCi/L action level.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website includes a function to search for radon test results in your zip code. The information is from short term tests in multiple home types under “closed up” conditions, rather than the comings and goings of normal life. This data has been collected by certified radon labs and testers from Jan. 1990 to Dec. 2023. However, not all zip codes are available due to not enough test results. Most importantly, the results at one property do not indicate what levels may be at another, even right next door.
Radon Fact Sheet(PDF, 784KB)
Home Testing
Radon is undetectable without using a test kit, which should be analyzed by a Pennsylvania-certified laboratory. Tests can be acquired from some labs directly, hardware stores, and sometimes through government programs. The tests are easy to do, just follow the manufacturer directions. Periodic retesting is recommended as conditions may change. If a test ever reaches the level of concern, that information must always be disclosed to future potential owners of the building.
Addressing Radon in the Home
The EPA radon action level is 4pCi/L, but EPA recommends having the home fixed if levels above 2pCi/L are found. Ultimately, no amount of radon is safe and if testing confirms radon in a home, a radon reduction system should be considered. There are a number of ways to redirect the gas and bring the amount of radon in a home down to an acceptable level. A certified radon mitigation contractor is recommended to complete the work as doing the job improperly may actually make the problem worse or create other issues. A list of certified radon contractors can be found at the DEP website below.
Additional Resources