Commercial Radon
Mitigation

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium, thorium, or radium, which are radioactive metals break down in rocks, soil and groundwater.

No. That’s the tricky part about radon. It has no smell, is invisible to the naked eye and has no taste. It is considered one of the most life-threatening forms since it cannot be detected without proper testing. The Surgeon General and American Lung Association warn that radon gas has been proven the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

Radon decays quickly, giving off tiny radioactive particles that are airborne as a gas. When inhaled, radon gas can damage the cells that line your lungs, which can lead to cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States, though it usually takes 5 to 25 years to develop symptoms.

Older homes are typically less insulated and have outdated windows & doors, and gaps in walls. All of these factors can lower the levels of radon that get trapped in the home. Older homes should always be tested for radon. It’s very common for cracks to form in an older home’s foundation.

Unless the home already has a Radon Mitigation System installed, newer homes can actually be at a higher risk for elevated levels of radon. Newer homes are better insulated and therefore can keep radon trapped inside the home. You should always get a newer home tested for radon before you move in or as soon as you can. When a new home is built, radon control techniques (also referred to as radon-resistant new construction) can be used to help keep radon from entering the home. The EPA has developed a voluntary guidance document on radon control techniques for new residential construction. The guidance recommends and describes the installation of a “passive sub-slab or sub-membrane depressurization system.”