Radon testing is now a standard part of the home inspection process, with many US states now requiring it before selling a property. However, relying solely on a one-time test before purchasing a home isn’t enough to protect families from the dangers of radon gas.
Radon levels can fluctuate due to various factors, including changes in occupancy, temperature variations, and remodeling projects. If an increase in radon goes undetected, it leaves occupants exposed to a dangerous radioactive gas that is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the US among people who don’t smoke.
“The level of radon present in a home is known to change with the seasons, among a variety of other reasons, so a single test may not accurately represent the danger that is present,” says Insoo Park, CEO of Ecosense. “For the most accurate assessment, homeowners may want to use a digital continuous radon monitor, which tracks levels continuously to ensure a home is safe at all times.”
Ecosense is an innovator in the radon gas monitoring industry whose intelligent and highly accurate radon detectors bring peace of mind to homeowners. Ecosense is a trusted global provider of both consumer-grade radon monitors and professional radon detection equipment that is easy to use, accurate, and fast. The company’s smart real-time radon monitors utilize patented detection technology with high-accuracy performance that delivers results in minutes — unmatched by any other on the market.
“Any kind of building can be vulnerable to radon exposure,” Park warns. “In fact, every building or home naturally has some level of radon. The key to staying safe is figuring out how much is in the air and whether it’s dangerous to you and your family.”
Understanding the dangers of radon gas
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is released into the air when radium in soil, rocks, and plants breaks down. In the outdoors, radon dissipates in the atmosphere to levels that are not harmful. But if it enters homes and accumulates to high levels, it can become a health hazard.
“When radon accumulates in homes, it can be breathed in and trapped in lung tissues, where its radioactivity can cause lung cancer,” Park explains. “Radon exposure causes an estimated 84,000 lung cancer deaths globally each year, making it second only to smoking for lung cancer deaths.”
If testing shows high levels of radon gas in a home, which the EPA identifies as at least 4 pCi/L, roughly equivalent to smoking eight cigarettes per day in terms of lung cancer risk, radon mitigation systems should be installed to reduce these levels. These systems typically use fans and suction pipes to remove radon from beneath homes before it can enter through cracks and other holes in foundations.
Keeping homes safe through periodic testing
Recommended radon testing schedules vary depending on a home’s history. Homes with radon mitigation systems should be tested at least every two years to confirm that the system continues to work optimally. Homes previously tested and found to be below the action level should be retested at least every five years to ensure conditions have not changed.
Bill Johnson, a resident of Park City, Utah, was shocked when he was diagnosed at the age of 44 with lung cancer. Despite living an active, non-smoking lifestyle, Johnson later discovered that the cause of his cancer was due to elevated levels of radon gas found in his home.
Johnson reports that he and his family had their home tested when they moved in, more than a decade before his diagnosis. At that time, the levels were found to be safe. However, testing done with a modern monitoring device after his diagnosis showed that radon in the home rose to dangerous levels in the winter when windows were sealed, and the HVAC system was used for heating.
“Continuously monitor radon levels and, if necessary, take steps to professionally mitigate radon in your home,” Johnson advises. “Stay vigilant, stay informed, and safeguard your health and the health of your loved ones.”
To support Bill Johnson in his effort to educate others on the dangers of radon exposure, Park’s company, Ecosense, sponsors a Radon-Free Campaign that provides discounts on home radon monitoring devices. For every five monitoring devices purchased through the program, Ecosense donates a device to Park City and Summit County Affordable Housing.
The advantage of radon monitors
Modern radon monitoring devices provide the best protection against overexposure to radon gas. The devices constantly take radon readings and alert occupants immediately when levels rise to dangerous levels.
“Traditional radon test kits can be accurate if used correctly to gather a sample and properly analyze it, but they may not represent a full picture of your long-term radon exposure,” Park says. “Today’s continuous radon monitors provide a more accurate assessment of radon risks because they sample radon frequently and provide an accurate average of all the readings taken. These advanced monitors give real-time results with short response times, meaning homeowners can know without a doubt if they must take steps to reduce radon exposure.”
