Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas created by the decay of radium in soil and has been proven to cause cancer in people who have experienced long-term exposure. This is why it is so important to have your home tested for radon at least every other year.

In many cases, homeowners test their home’s air for radon during the winter when radon levels typically spike. However, since radon levels can fluctuate depending on weather and seasonal conditions there is never a bad time to have your home’s air tested—particularly if it has been two or more years since it was last tested. There are a handful of steps that can be taken to make sure a radon test performed during the summer months is as accurate as possible.

1. Test during a scheduled vacation

In many cases, it is best to plan a radon test during a scheduled vacation. This will allow the test to proceed without any interference or excessive changes in airflow.

2. Central air conditioning

The use of central air conditioning to keep your house cool does not interfere with the testing process. However, window air units should be avoided since they tend to cycle outside air into the home.

3. Turn off interior fans

Too much air circulation inside the home may prevent an accurate test. That’s why it’s important to turn off any interior fans and avoid unnecessary circulation of air during the testing process.

4. Close all windows and doors

All windows and doors should be shut at least 12 hours prior to testing for radon. During the test, it is important to leave all windows shut and minimize the use of any exterior doors as much as possible.

By following these simple suggestions, you can be sure that your summer radon test will go smoothly and provide you with an accurate assessment of your home’s radon level. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a radon test for your home this summer, please contact us today.

Why Radon Shouldn’t Be Ignored

It’s difficult to understand how something we can’t see or smell can pose such a risk to our health. What’s truly scary is realizing just how harmful to our health it can be, and unlike carbon monoxide, has no immediate symptoms of exposure. Yet, most of us have at least 1 carbon monoxide detector in our homes while not giving radon detection a second thought.

Radon is the number 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. According to the EPA, nearly 1 in 3 homes in a seven-state region had screening levels over 4 pCi/L, the EPA’s recommended action level for radon exposure. Seven out of ten homes in Iowa have high radon levels and approximately 400 Iowans die each year from exposure to this naturally produced gas. Some scientific studies are now showing children may be even more sensitive to radon due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells. More and more families are also making their basements primary living spaces and bedrooms for their children.

The primary routes of potential human exposure are inhalation and ingestion. Radon in the ground, groundwater or building materials introduced to working and living spaces and disintegrates into its decay products. Inhalation exposure is typically more likely and more important than ingestion.

Dr. Peter Sandman, a risk communication expert, writes that Risk = Hazard + Outrage. With very little, if any, outrage over radon exposure our human nature perceives it as less of a risk. After all, it’s a naturally occurring gas so there’s no one to be angry with. Lack of outrage translates to lack of action.

Let’s flip things around a bit. What if your place of employment, your children’s daycare or school didn’t do radon testing. Or worse, what if they tested, levels were high and they didn’t disclose it. You’d be outraged…you’d demand ACTION. The risk would feel HUGE.

Radon mitigation or the process of “fixing” a home that has elevated radon levels is comparable to other minor home repairs and it’s invaluable simply for the peace-of-mind knowing you’re not exposing yourself or your family to this harmful radioactive gas.