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Is Radon, the Silent Killer, 

Lurking in Your Home?

Busting Radon Myths: Testing, Mitigation, 

and Achieving a Radon-Free Home

2023 | You and Me Real Estate, Brokered by eXp Realty

Hey there, I'm Tessie. Before diving into real estate, I spent more than eight years crafting water treatment systems for my father's company. Whether you're a realtor, home inspector, buyer, seller, or homeowner, understanding Radon is crucial, as it could be silently lurking in your home, posing a potential threat to your health.

 The Mysterious Radon: A Silent Killer

 Radon is a silent and underestimated menace present in homes worldwide. It doesn't discriminate; it affects everyone. It falls upon professionals to address this issue, making our living spaces safer and allowing us to breathe easier (literally).

Understanding Radon: The Basics

Before we dive deeper, let's grasp the fundamentals:

1. Radon Air: This invisible, odorless, and tasteless gas emerges from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks. It infiltrates homes through cracks, and crawl spaces, contaminating indoor air.

 2. Radon Water: Radon can dissolve into groundwater, especially in areas with bedrock wells. When this water is used for drinking or other household purposes, it exposes us to Radon.

What are the Health Risks? 

Radon in Air

Lung Cancer: Inhaling Radon gas can lead to lung cancer. Radon breaks down into radioactive particles that can damage lung tissue, making it the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Radon in Water

Ingestion Risk: Consuming Radon-contaminated well water can potentially increase the risk of stomach cancer as Radon releases alpha particles in the gastrointestinal tract.

Inhalation Risk: Radon in water can also pose an inhalation risk when water is agitated, like during showers. Once the gas is agitated out of the water it releases alpha particles into the air.

Remember, the health risks depend on Radon concentration, exposure duration, and individual factors.

How do you Test for Radon?

The initial step in addressing the Radon threat is testing, and here's how you can go about it:

1. Radon Air Testing:

Testing Radon Air Yourself: These kits are readily available and can be used to measure Radon levels in your home over a specified period. They can be found at Labs near you. Using a simple test kit you can purchase from a registered testing lab for $60 or less. Most radon air test kits are small bottles or canisters that you open for 24 to 72 hours, and then reseal and send back to the lab. You can receive your results within a few days of the lab receiving them.

Professional testing: Consider hiring a certified Radon measurement professional for accurate and reliable results. Most home inspectors have a device specifically designed for testing radon air. A home inspector is a trusted third party who doesn’t have a conflict of interest with testing and then correcting. 

2. Radon Water Testing:

Testing Radon water yourself: Only well water, not town or public water, needs testing. Some wells have high levels of radon. The main danger comes from breathing in the radon when water is used. You can test for radon in well water using a simple test kit purchased from a Maine registered water testing lab, for about $40 or less. These kits generally include two glass vials. Often, individuals overlook the instructions for correct testing. It's essential not to disturb the water as you fill the vial. Agitating the water can lead to gas escaping, and if there are trapped bubbles in the vial, it may result in an inaccurate reading.

Professional testing: Consider hiring a certified Radon measurement professional for accurate and reliable results. A home inspector that is licensed to measure radon water is a trusted third party who doesn’t have a conflict of interest with testing and then correcting.

Understanding Radon Limits

Radon is typically measured in pCi/L (picocuries per liter), but what do these measurements mean, and when should you be concerned?

Side note: I have always thought how strange it was that each State has their own maximum exposure guideline- I guess some States can handle radon better than others. (joking but not joking!)

Taking Action for Elevated Radon Levels

If you find elevated Radon levels in your home or water, prompt action is crucial. However, Radon mitigation isn't a DIY project. Contact a registered mitigation professional to ensure proper mitigation.

Clearing the Air on Radon

MYTH: A Radon Air system will reduce radon water. (THIS IS FALSE!)

Radon gas in your home primarily comes from the soil beneath it, while radon in your water supply can originate from bedrock in a drilled well.

It's crucial to understand that radon air mitigation systems won't address radon in your water. The radon air system starts with venting the gas from beneath your slab, it doesn't remove the gas if it is coming from in the house.

Radon water puts radon into the air. So the only way to reduce the radon water is by having a system installed to treat the radon water.

Stay informed, stay proactive, and let's work together to eliminate the Radon menace from our homes and communities. Let's clear the air together! (Both literally and figuratively, of course!) 💨✨