Radon is a silent killer, and it could be lurking in your home. Today we’ll debunk four myths about this common gas.
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All homes today, no matter their age or location, should be tested for radon. Doing so could be a matter of life and death. In fact, this invisible, odorless gas causes upwards of 21,000 deaths each year and is actually the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there about this silent killer, which is why today we’ll be sharing and debunking four of the most common radon myths:
Myth No. 1: Radon is only found in certain parts of the country. This is not at all true. Radon is found in every state. In fact, one in 15 homes in the United States has a high level of radon.
Myth No. 2: If you’ve lived in your home for a long time, there’s no point in testing. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve lived in your home. Radon, which seeps up through the ground, can appear in your home at any time as a result of changes to soil conditions or any number of other factors. Therefore, every homeowner should test their home at least once every five to 10 years.
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Myth No. 3: Brand-new homes aren’t at risk for radon. Since radon is naturally occurring, the age of the home has nothing to do with whether radon can get into it. And, in fact, newer homes are more likely to retain high levels of radon since they tend to be more “airtight” than older properties.
One in 15 homes in the United States has a high level of radon.
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Myth No. 4: High levels of radon make homes harder to sell. This might be true if the problem is never mitigated, but if your home has high levels of radon, your first concern should be your health. In truth, there’s no reason to fear for your home’s ability to sell in the future so long as you lower your radon levels in the meantime.
There is really no excuse not to test for radon. At-home tests can be bought at any major hardware store for as little as $15. Ideally, you should also invest in a radon mitigation system, which will keep your home’s radon levels low for years to come.
If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
