Health dangers of radon.
EPA recommendations.
Testing process and timeline.
How to Test Your Home for Radon
Radon is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It can be in the air you breathe and enter your home through cracks, gaps, and other holes in the foundation. According to the EPA, it is present in both indoor and outdoor environments. It is a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer over time.
At Mack Property Inspections, LLC, we offer Radon Testing Services as an additional service to our home inspection in Simpsonville, SC. Here is what you need to know about radon, its dangers, how to test for radon, and reduce radon levels in your home. Schedule your radon test today!
Dangers of Radon
Radon
Radon is a colorless, odorless gas and the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. Often called the “silent killer,” radon is undetectable without proper testing. Exposure to high radon levels significantly increases lung cancer risk, especially for smokers. According to the WHO, a non-smoker exposed to 1.3 pCi/L has a 2 in 1,000 risk of lung cancer, while that risk rises to 20 in 1,000 for smokers.
Radon breaks down into radioactive particles known as radon daughters or progeny, which attach to dust and are easily inhaled—raising the risk of lung cancer. Since radon is invisible and odorless, testing is the only way to detect it. High radon levels may be a hidden reason your home is making you sick.
How Does Radon Enter Your Home?
Radon gas can seep through cracks and other holes in the foundation, concrete pores, and floor gaps. Common ways for radon to enter your home are as follows:
- Cracks in the floors
- Construction joints
- Gaps in suspended floors
- Service pipe gaps
- Cavities inside walls
- Water supply
- Cracks and holes in your foundation
Radon Testing
The EPA advises action if radon levels exceed 1.9 pCi/L, as long-term exposure between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L still poses health risks. Levels above 4.0 pCi/L require radon mitigation to reduce lung cancer risk. Elevated radon doesn’t mean a home is unsafe—it just means radon levels need to be managed with proper mitigation.
Radon is a health risk, and the only way to know if the home has elevated levels of radon gas is to have a test done. So take action and test.
Radon testing should be done in the lowest livable area of the home, away from drafts, heat, and humidity. Short-term tests last 2–90 days, while long-term tests measure levels over months for more accurate results. Since radon fluctuates daily and seasonally, longer tests provide better averages. If two short-term tests average above 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA recommends mitigation to reduce levels below 2.0 pCi/L.
With over 20 years of top performance in the trades and radon testing, Scott Mack and his team of professionals employ their extensive industry knowledge, following the IAC2 standards of practice for Radon Testing. Our certified radon testers at Mack Property Inspections aim to provide quality services with your best interests in mind, knowing that your current radon levels can put you in a more informed position.
We stand for genuine care for your safety and peace of mind. Mack Property Inspections.