What is Radon?

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Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell, or taste. It forms from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water—and it can seep into your home through cracks in the foundation, floors, and walls.

Once inside, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels, especially in lower levels of your home like basements and crawl spaces. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is found in homes across every state—and Northeast Ohio is considered a high-risk area due to its soil composition.

The real danger of radon lies in its health effects. When you breathe in radon gas, radioactive particles can become trapped in your lungs. Over time, these particles increase your risk of developing lung cancer.

• Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking.
  Source: U.S. EPA, www.epa.gov/radon
• The EPA estimates that radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year.
  Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), www.cdc.gov/radon
• Smokers exposed to high radon levels have a much higher risk of lung cancer than non-smokers.
• There are no short-term symptoms—you won’t feel sick from radon exposure until it’s too late.

Radon gas moves up through the ground and enters your home through:

• Cracks in concrete floors and foundation walls
• Gaps in suspended floors
• Openings around pipes, sump pits, and drains
• Well water in some cases 

Once radon enters, it becomes trapped and can build up to unsafe levels—especially in airtight or energy-efficient homes.

Absolutely. The only way to know your home’s radon level is to test for it. The EPA recommends that every home be tested, regardless of age, location, or construction type. Radon levels can vary dramatically from house to house—even next door neighbors can have vastly different readings.

• A radon level of 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or higher is considered dangerous and should be mitigated.
• Even levels between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L carry some risk and mitigation may still be recommended.

If testing reveals elevated radon levels, don’t panic—radon mitigation is effective and affordable. A professional radon mitigation system can:

• Reduce radon levels by up to 99% 
• Continuously protect your family for years to come
• Increase your home’s value and safety

Protect your family’s health and peace of mind by scheduling a radon test today. If you already know your home has high radon levels, contact our licensed mitigation professionals for a free consultation. Radon is a serious risk—but it's also completely preventable.

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): www.epa.gov/radon
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): www.cdc.gov/radon
• World Health Organization (WHO): www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/radon-and-health