You can't see, taste or smell it, but it can pose a serious threat to your family's health. Radon can seep into your home from underground and build up to a dangerous level if trapped indoors. Radon is a radioactive gas that is present in nearly all air, but people who inhale high levels of it are at an increased risk for developing lung cancer.
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Even though radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., a nationwide poll of Angie's List members shows that 69 percent of respondents have never tested for radon in their home.
Of those who did perform the test:
73 percent tested because they were buying or selling a home
24 percent tested because they had heard or read about the dangers of radon
29 percent who tested for radon found they had high levels
"Every home should be tested regardless of whether it's a new home, an old home, or if it's been tested before," said Angie Hicks, found of Angie's List. "And any type of home, regardless of whether it has a basement, crawl space, or sits on a concrete slab, is susceptible to radon."
You can find out if you have radon in your home with a test sold at your local hardware store. The testing is easy and inexpensive, usually less than $25.
Check that the test meets EPA requirements and follow the directions carefully. Most tests take two days. After the test, you typically seal the detector back in the package and mail it to a lab.
Run the test in the lowest level of the home suitable for occupancy.
Because radon levels fluctuate, the EPA recommends a follow up test before fixing your home.
If the second test confirms high levels of radon, (4 pCi/L or higher) choose a qualified radon contractor to fix your home. Check first with the EPA on training courses before doing work.
"You should test for radon every couple of years or every time you remodel your home," said Hicks. "It's also recommended that if you are buying or selling a home, that you run a test."
For more information on contractors, check Angie's List and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website at www.epa.gov.
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