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Radon is a colorless and odorless gas that is released from the natural breakdown of uranium in rocks, soil, and water. It’s also one of the leading causes of lung cancer in nonsmokers.
Although many people may not think much about the risks associated with radon, the gas can build up to dangerous levels inside homes. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that one in 15 homes have radon levels high enough to pose a health risk.
In response, the agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month and announced recommendations that all residential spaces be tested for radon if it is three stories above ground level.
If you are buying or building a new home, understanding the risk of radon is a matter of health and safety and a crucial step in the home inspection process. Testing for radon in a new home and knowing what to do if levels are too high are important steps for new homeowners. Here’s a look at the steps to take as well as a review of common radon health risks and how to minimize them.
How to Know If Your Home Is at Risk for High Radon Levels
Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), and the EPA recommends that homes have no more than 4 pCi/L of the gas present at any time. If a home has potentially dangerous amounts of radon, it may be necessary to install a removal system to regularly ventilate the gas outside of the home.
It’s easy to determine a home’s radon risk by using a simple test kit that can be found at many hardware stores. Homeowners can also contact certified radon specialists to conduct tests that provide more detailed results. There are two common types of radon tests:
Short-term tests stay in the home for two to 90 days, depending on the test version. These testing kits provide an effective way to quickly evaluate a home’s risk level. However, radon levels can vary throughout the year, which means a short-term test may not measure completely accurate radon levels.
Long-term tests stay in the home for longer than 90 days and provide a more accurate measurement of the home’s average annual radon level.
Mitigating Radon Gas Risks in Your Home
Regardless of the type of radon test used, if radon levels in the home are too high, it’s important to take immediate action to lower the health risks associated with radon exposure for those in the home.
The EPA recommends that homeowners hire a certified radon mitigation contractor to correct the problem due to the hazards involved with this type of job. In fact, the EPA cautions that using improper correction techniques can actually increase the amount of radon in the home.
How to Reduce Radon Health Risks
Testing homes for radon is the first and most crucial step for reducing health risks caused by radon, but homeowners can also take several smaller actions to keep themselves and their loved ones safe.
Quit Smoking
Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer — smoking is the first. Combined, smoking exponentially increases the chance of getting lung cancer from radon exposure.
Increase Airflow
Although this is a temporary solution, if a test kit indicates that a home has a high radon level, increasing the airflow throughout the space can provide some relief.
Seal Cracks
Specific insulation materials, such as plaster and caulk, should be used to seal cracks in floors and walls to reduce radon levels. In many cases, it’s best to contact a certified radon contractor to complete these home updates.
For those building new homes, several innovative building techniques can reduce the buildup of radon over time. Before building, new homeowners should address radon gas risks with contractors and ask about the techniques they plan to use. Remember, it is much easier and less expensive to pay for preventative features in a new home than it is to mitigate a radon gas problem later.
Radon & Homeowners Insurance
Unfortunately, homeowners insurance does not cover radon gas issues, which is why it is important to plan ahead as a buyer by testing for radon and taking other steps to prevent radon problems when building or renovating a home.
Homeowner’s insurance is still important for many other risks, however, and HRCCU Insurance Agency has you covered for all of them.
We work with more than 40 carriers to compare home insurance rates and help you bundle your new home’s insurance with auto and other policies to ensure the best price. Reach out to us today to get a free quote.
