Radon is an odorless, colorless home hazard that is undetectable without radon testing tools. Prolonged, high radon levels have been known to cause lung cancer among non-smokers, so mitigating radon as much as possible is essential. It’s recommended to test your home for radon every two years. Understanding these radon testing results can help you take appropriate action to keep you and your loved ones safe.
Here’s a breakdown of radon levels to help you understand what they mean:
- 2 pCi/L and lower – Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), and levels under 2 pCi/L are acceptable. While there are no known safe levels of radon, this range is largely unavoidable.
- 2 pCi/L to 4 pCi/L – Depending on your lifestyle, these levels may warrant action to lower radon levels and mitigate your exposure to them. Lifestyle changes such as sleeping and spending most of your time in the upper levels of your home can reduce your risk. Radon reduction systems are also available to capture and remove radon gas from your home.
- 4 pCi/L and higher – If a short-term radon test revealed high levels, you’ll want to further assess your home’s ongoing radon levels, as levels can ebb and flow over time. If your radon testing results show levels consistently higher than 4 pCi/L, it’s important to work with a licensed professional to implement a radon reduction system.
Radon levels naturally rise and fall as they are released into the air from deep underground. Your home’s exposure to radon can also change with your lifestyle (such as spending more time in the lower levels of your home) or with a home renovation that alters your home’s ventilation. For these reasons, routine radon testing is a smart investment in your health.