Did you know that January is National Radon Action Month? Radon is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoke and the number one leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

These facts highlight why it’s so important to regularly test your home for radon. You can buy home test kits to do it yourself, but if you’re buying or selling a home, you should consider having a professional come in and do the radon test for you. That way, you know the results are unbiased and unbiased, and there’s no need to worry that the results may have been biased. If you are doing a test on your own, there are two types to choose from: short-term and long-term. You can find a radon test kit at home improvement stores, online, or through your state government. Depending on the state you live in, some government agencies will have free or discounted radon test kits available, and some states will even have a list of contractors you can contact for a professional radon test.

Radon is caused by a naturally occurring radioactive gas that is released into water, rocks, and soil from the natural decay of uranium. It moves through the ground and into your home through cracks and fissures in your home’s foundation. It can also be found in well water, which releases radon into the water when you shower or use the water for other purposes.

If your neighbor’s home was tested for radon and found to be low, that doesn’t mean you can assume your home will also be low. Radon levels vary from home to home, and there are several factors that influence how much radon is in your home. Radon is everywhere, so the US Environmental Protection Agency has an action point of 4 pCi/L. If you find that your home has a radon level at or above that point, you should consider installing a radon mitigation system.

Radon is found throughout the country in all 50 states. There is no particular type of home that is more or less likely to have high radon levels. Once again, this illustrates why it is so important to regularly test your home for radon and to ensure that the home you are considering is tested for radon as part of the home inspection process.