Some parts of a calm home are easy to see, like soft light or a tidy shelf.
Others are invisible, and radon is one of them.
It has no color, no smell and no taste.
Most people never think about it until they buy a house or hear a neighbor mention a test.
The good news is that radon is simple to check and, when needed, practical to lower.
This guide explains what radon is, how it gets into a home and why testing matters.
It also covers the kinds of test kits, when to test again and what happens if a level is high.
None of it is complicated, and a test can be done with very little effort.
What Radon Is
MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, describes radon as a naturally occurring radioactive gas.
It comes from the normal breakdown of uranium and thorium.
These two elements are found in soil, rock and groundwater.
Outdoors, radon spreads out into the open air and stays at low levels.
Indoors, it can collect and build up.
Why It Matters for Health
The Environmental Protection Agency calls radon a leading cause of lung cancer.
MedlinePlus explains how this happens over time.
When you breathe in radon, its radioactive breakdown products can get trapped in your lungs.
They can damage the cells that line the lungs, and it may take years before cancer develops.
MedlinePlus names radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths after cigarette smoking.
It also notes that the risk is much higher for people who smoke and are exposed to radon.
This is not a reason for alarm.
It is a reason to find out your level, which is easy to do.
How Radon Gets Into a Home
Radon rises from the ground beneath a house.
MedlinePlus lists the main ways it can enter.
- Cracks in floors, walls or foundations.
- Certain building materials that give off radon.
- Well water, in some homes.
MedlinePlus adds that levels can be higher in homes that are well insulated and tightly sealed.
Homes built on soil with a lot of uranium and thorium can also have higher levels.
Basements and first floors usually have the highest levels because they are closest to the ground.
That means a new home and an old home can both have radon.
So can a house right next door to one with a low reading.
Testing Is the Only Way to Know
The EPA puts it simply: testing is the only way to know your level of exposure.
It also says that all homes should be tested for radon.
MedlinePlus lists the times when testing is especially worthwhile.
- If your home has never been tested, or the level is unknown.
- When you are preparing to buy or sell a house.
- Before and after renovations, especially after repairs to reduce radon.
- Before someone starts spending more time on a lower level, such as a basement bedroom.
If you are about to finish a basement or add a playroom downstairs, test first.
Short-Term and Long-Term Tests
MedlinePlus describes two kinds of test kits.
- Short-term kits: they measure radon for 2 to 90 days and give quick results.
- Long-term kits: they measure radon for more than 90 days.
Radon levels can change from day to day and month to month.
For that reason, MedlinePlus explains that a long-term test gives a better estimate of your average level.
Many families start with a short-term test for a quick first look.
A long-term test can then confirm the picture across seasons.
How to Get a Test Kit
MedlinePlus notes that testing is fairly inexpensive and easy to do.
You can buy a test kit at most hardware stores or hire someone to do the test.
The EPA radon page links to a tool for finding a radon test kit.
MedlinePlus suggests a helpful first step: contact a state or local radon official for advice.
They can explain the differences between testing devices and recommend the right test for your needs.
They can also give you a list of qualified radon testers.
The EPA lists regional, state and tribal radon program contacts on its website.
The same page shows which radon zone you live in.
Running a Calm, Simple Test
Every kit comes with its own instructions, and those are the ones to follow.
Read them all the way through before you open the package.
A few general habits make the process smooth.
- Choose the room the kit instructions recommend, usually the lowest lived-in level.
- Write the start date and time on the kit or a sticky note.
- Leave the kit undisturbed for the full testing period.
- Mail it to the lab promptly, as the instructions describe.
Put a reminder on your calendar for the end date so it does not get forgotten.
If Your Level Is High
A high result can feel worrying, but it has a clear and well-known fix.
MedlinePlus explains that a radon reduction system can be installed in the home.
It can bring the amount of radon down to a safe level.
The cost depends on the size and design of your home.
A qualified radon professional can explain the options for your house.
Your state radon program can help you find one.
Simple Steps While You Plan
MedlinePlus also lists a few steps you can take yourself.
- Increase air flow by opening windows and using fans and vents to move air around.
- Seal cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk or other materials made for this purpose.
MedlinePlus is clear that opening windows only lowers radon levels for a while.
These steps are helpful, but they do not replace a reduction system when one is needed.
Test Again After Any Fix
A fix is only finished once you know it worked.
MedlinePlus advises monitoring radon levels after any repairs to make sure they are lower.
Many families add a retest to the calendar every few years as well.
Retesting also makes sense after big changes to the home, such as a renovation.
If You Smoke
MedlinePlus notes that most radon-related cancer deaths happen in smokers.
That makes testing especially worthwhile in a home where someone smokes.
Keeping tobacco smoke out of the home also helps the indoor air in many other ways.
If you would like help quitting, talk with a health professional.
A Calm Radon Checklist
- This month: buy a short-term test kit or contact your state radon program.
- During the test: place the kit on the lowest lived-in level and leave it undisturbed.
- After the result: keep the report with your important home papers.
- If the level is high: talk with a qualified professional about a reduction system.
- After any fix or renovation: test again.
A Gentle Way to Begin
Radon is one of the few home safety topics that a single test can settle.
Pick up a kit on your next trip to the hardware store.
Set it up this weekend, following the instructions inside.
Mail it back on time and wait calmly for the result.
Whatever the number, you will know where your home stands.
That quiet knowledge is a small but real part of a calm, healthy home.
Sources and Further Reading
- Environmental Protection Agency: Radon — radon as a leading cause of lung cancer, testing as the only way to know, testing every home, test kits and state radon contacts.
- MedlinePlus: Radon — what radon is, how it enters homes, health effects, when to test, short- and long-term kits, reduction systems and retesting.