When we think about indoor safety, we often worry about visible threats — mold on walls, faulty wiring, or structural damage. But one of the most dangerous threats to your health is invisible, odorless, and silent: radon gas. Every time you take a breath inside your home, you could unknowingly be inhaling a radioactive gas that significantly increases your risk of lung cancer.

Despite its serious health implications, radon often flies under the radar. Most homeowners are unaware of its presence until it’s too late. The good news? Radon testing is simple, affordable, and life-saving.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about radon: where it comes from, how it affects your health, why testing is crucial, and what to do if your home tests positive. Before you breathe another day indoors, read this — it might save your life.

What Is Radon and Where Does It Come From?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the decay of uranium found in soil, rock, and water. Since it’s colorless, tasteless, and odorless, you can’t detect it without proper testing — which is why it’s often called a “silent killer.”

Here’s how radon enters your home:

• Through cracks in the foundation or walls

• Gaps around pipes, drains, or wiring

• Open sump pits or crawl spaces

• Construction joints and floor-wall seams

Once inside, radon becomes trapped and accumulates to dangerous levels, especially in poorly ventilated spaces like basements and ground floors. Since we spend about 90% of our time indoors, continuous exposure can pose severe health risks over time.

Why Radon Is So Dangerous: The Health Risks You Can’t Ignore

The most alarming fact about radon is its link to lung cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the World Health Organization (WHO):

• Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

• It causes an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States alone.

• For non-smokers, radon exposure is the #1 cause of lung cancer.

When you breathe in radon, radioactive particles can damage the cells lining your lungs, increasing the risk of cancer. The risk grows with:

• Higher radon levels

• Longer exposure time

• Smoking habits (smokers are at a significantly higher risk)

Even if you’re a non-smoker, long-term radon exposure can be deadly. That’s why testing isn’t optional — it’s essential.

How Radon Testing Works: A Step-by-Step Guide

Testing for radon is the only way to know if your home is safe. Because the gas is invisible and odorless, there’s no way to detect it through sight or smell. Thankfully, radon testing is simple, affordable, and accurate.

There are two main types of radon tests:

1. Short-Term Radon Tests

• Duration: 2 to 7 days

• Best for: Quick screening

• How it works: Place the test kit on the lowest level of your home and leave it undisturbed. After the test period, send it to a lab for analysis.

Short-term tests are a great starting point and can quickly indicate whether further action is needed.

2. Long-Term Radon Tests

• Duration: 90 days to 1 year

• Best for: More accurate, year-round average levels

• How it works: These devices measure radon levels over time, accounting for seasonal fluctuations and daily variations.

For the most reliable results, long-term testing is recommended — especially if your short-term test shows levels close to the EPA action threshold.

Understanding Radon Levels: What the Numbers Mean

Radon concentration is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA has established 4.0 pCi/L as the “action level” — meaning steps should be taken to reduce radon if levels meet or exceed this point.

Here’s how to interpret your results:

• Below 2.0 pCi/L: Low risk — considered safe.

• 2.0 – 3.9 pCi/L: Moderate risk — consider mitigation, especially if long-term exposure.

• 4.0 pCi/L or higher: Dangerous — take immediate action to reduce radon.

It’s important to remember that no level of radon is completely safe. Even low levels can pose some risk over time, so reducing radon as much as possible is always beneficial.

When and How Often You Should Test for Radon

Radon levels can fluctuate throughout the year due to weather, soil moisture, ventilation, and even changes in your home’s structure. That’s why regular testing is key.

Here are the best times to test:

• When buying or selling a home – Make radon testing part of your home inspection.

• After renovations – Changes to your home’s foundation or ventilation can affect radon levels.

• Every 2 years – Even if previous results were safe, conditions can change.

• After installing a mitigation system – Ensure it’s working properly by retesting.

Testing in the fall or winter often gives the most accurate results, as homes are usually sealed up and radon levels can be higher.

What to Do If Your Radon Levels Are High

If your test results show 4.0 pCi/L or higher, don’t panic — but don’t ignore it either. There are effective ways to reduce radon and protect your family.

Step 1: Confirm with a Follow-Up Test

If you used a short-term test, follow up with another short-term test or a long-term test for more accurate results.

Step 2: Hire a Certified Radon Mitigation Professional

While DIY solutions exist, professional mitigation systems are far more reliable. These systems typically use a vent pipe and fan to draw radon from beneath your home and vent it safely outside.

Step 3: Seal Cracks and Improve Ventilation

Sealing foundation cracks and increasing airflow can help, but these should be considered supportive measures, not substitutes for a proper mitigation system.

Radon Mitigation Systems: How They Work

A standard radon mitigation system includes:

• PVC vent pipe: Installed through your foundation or crawl space to draw radon from below your home.

• Specialized fan: Creates negative pressure to pull radon out and push it above your roofline.

• Exhaust point: Releases radon gas safely into the atmosphere.

When installed correctly, these systems can reduce radon levels by up to 99%. They’re quiet, energy-efficient, and require minimal maintenance — usually just periodic checks to ensure the fan is operating properly.

DIY vs. Professional Radon Testing: Which Is Better?

You can find DIY radon test kits online or at hardware stores for as little as $15 to $30. These are effective for initial screening and are easy to use.

However, professional testing offers significant advantages:

• Greater accuracy and reliability

• Comprehensive analysis of your home’s radon entry points

• Expert recommendations for mitigation if needed

For peace of mind — especially if buying or selling a home — professional testing is worth the investment.

Common Myths About Radon — Busted

Many homeowners underestimate radon because of misconceptions. Let’s clear up some of the most common myths:

• Myth 1: “Radon isn’t a problem in my area.”
  Truth: Radon is found everywhere — even homes next door to each other can have drastically different levels.

• Myth 2: “New homes don’t have radon issues.”
  Truth: Radon can enter any home, regardless of age, construction type, or location.

• Myth 3: “I don’t need to test if I don’t have a basement.”
  Truth: Radon can infiltrate homes through crawl spaces and ground-level floors too.

• Myth 4: “If my neighbor’s home tested low, mine is safe too.”
  Truth: Soil composition and building structure vary — the only way to know is to test your home.

The Cost of Ignoring Radon Testing

Many people put off radon testing because they assume it’s expensive or unnecessary. But the cost of doing nothing can be far higher.

• Testing: As little as $15 for DIY kits, or $150–$300 for professional testing.

• Mitigation: Typically $800–$2,500, depending on your home.

• Lung cancer treatment: Over $150,000 on average — and the emotional cost is immeasurable.

When you consider the risks, radon testing is one of the most cost-effective safety measures you can take for your family and home.

Conclusion: Don’t Wait — Test Your Home for Radon Today

Radon might be invisible, but its danger is very real. Every breath you take indoors could be exposing you to a radioactive gas linked to thousands of lung cancer deaths each year. The only way to know if your home is safe is through radon testing — and the sooner you do it, the better.

Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, buyer, or seller, radon testing should be on your checklist. It’s quick, affordable, and could literally save your life.

So before you breathe another day indoors, take action: test your home for radon, understand the results, and protect your family. Because when it comes to your health, ignorance isn’t bliss — it’s a risk you can’t afford. Visit Fort Collins Radon Mitigation to schedule your test and take control of your home's safety.