Yes! According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), naturally occurring radon causes more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. alone – second only to cigarette smoking in the causes of lung cancer, and the #1 cause in non-smokers.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that is undetectable except by radon testing. It forms when uranium decays, seeping out from rock formations and certain building materials. If your house has a basement, having a radon detector there could be critical, since this is where the presence of radon is likely to be discovered in your home.
Do I Need a Radon Test?
Since radon is found in all 50 states, and can only be detected by radon testing, it is wise to test your home, whether you're a home-owner or apartment resident. Even though toxic radon exposure is most common in the Northern, Midwestern and Southwestern states – radon may reach hazardous levels in any state depending on where your home is located.
In Georgia, for example, buildings in the Atlanta metropolitan area have a high potential for toxic levels of radon. According to the EPA, 1 out of every 15 U.S. homes has radon levels above the recommended guideline of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) and it is recommended that all homes should test for radon, regardless of geographic location.
Prolonged radon exposure in these contaminated homes leads to a 50% increase in lung cancer risk. The EPA Interactive Radon Zone map is color-coded into zones based on predicted radon concentration, and highlights areas down to the county level in every state.
How Do I Test for Radon?
Because radon is odorless and colorless, it's impossible to know if your home or office is contaminated unless you have it tested or have an ongoing radon detector. While the EPA does not regulate or qualify specific radon test products, it has established minimum accuracy performance criteria. There are several time-tested products that meet or exceed this criteria.
- Safety Siren Pro4 Series Radon Detector : This radon detector continuously monitors the air, precisely measuring naturally fluctuating radon levels. It features a digital read-out for short- and long-term results and, if radon levels become dangerous, the Safety Siren sounds an alarm as well as displaying a visual warning. It can also be used in multiple places since the memory can be reset if desired.
- Airthings Radon Detector: This battery-operated radon monitor (formerly by Corentium) is easy to use and measures daily, weekly, or long-term concentrations of radon, using the same quality components and algorithms found in commercial monitors. This device is unaffected by other radiation and doesn't need recalibrating or reprogramming when used continuously.
- The Wave 2nd Generation: Wi-Fi ready and Bluetooth enabled, this smart radon detector by Airthings continuously monitors your home and delivers results directly to your smartphone, where you can receive notifications and recommendations. Create custom alerts and integrate with other smart home products. A wave of the hand in front of the unit triggers a universal color code indication of the current radon level in your home.
Staying Safe
When it comes to your safety and health, radon detectors are just as important as smoke detectors or combustible gas monitors. When moving to a new home, it is wise to have the property tested to determine radon levels. If they are high, steps for remediation should be taken and a radon detector installed. The EPA's Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon contains helpful information for real estate transactions.
For additional information and links to radon studies and mitigation techniques, check out this article on How to Take Action Against Radon. Testing for Radon is simple, and the sure way to keep you and your family safe at home.
Contact our Product Experts at 1 (800) 934-9194 or [email protected] for additional information and help finding a radon detector.
