Date Published: 01/29/2020 [Source]
We all worry about keeping our families safe. That's why we change our smoke detector batteries, get our furnaces checked for C02 leaks and ensure our windows and doors are safely covered and locked.
But we may not be worried enough about radon — a silent, colorless, odorless gas that settles in our basement and increases our long-term risk for lung cancer.
Indoor radon levels can vary based on the time of year, weather conditions and any household renovations — even something as simple as replacing a window. Testing every few years ensures your home is staying safe over time.
If you install a mitigation system, it's important to retest regularly to ensure the fan is working correctly. If your home was built with a passive radon mitigation system, testing will help you know if it's working, or if you need to add a fan to pull out more of the heavy gas.
If you're renting and can't test or mitigate on your own, talk with your landlord. Share with them what you've learned about radon and why exposure is so concerning. They may be more willing to do something about it than you think.
Talk with your neighbors — tell them about your radon levels and encourage them to test. Consider giving radon test kits as housewarming or baby-shower gifts. In Utah, 1 in 3 homes has elevated levels of radon, so high levels shouldn't be seen as an embarrassing revelation or a potential home sale-breaker — but an easily fixable situation.
Lung cancer carries a stigma, as people generally assume patients brought it on themselves by smoking. Yet nonsmokers also get lung cancer, so avoid judgments or assumptions, and show kindness to anyone dealing with lung cancer.
It's never too late to do something about radon. Reducing your exposure to radon now will allow your body to start repairing any potential cell damage. Even people who have lived in their homes for 20 years can make a difference — for themselves, their children and grandchildren — by doing something today.