Protect Your Home During National Radon Action Month

January is National Radon Action Month. Led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Radon Action Month is a nationwide effort to raise public awareness about the dangers of radon, promote testing, and incentivize mitigation efforts to prevent its carcinogenic effects.  

As colder weather makes homes airtight and less ventilated, radon gas can build up to dangerous levels in your home. Learn how you can get involved and keep your home safe from radon this year.

3 Safety Steps You Can Take During National Radon Action Month

Here are three significant things you can do during National Radon Action Month:

1. Test your home: Testing for radon is simple. The EPA recommends testing your home for radon every two years, or after significant changes such as renovations, moving, or changes in occupancy.
2. Attend or create a National Radon Action Month event: Participating in radon awareness campaigns helps spread the word and leads to a safer living environment.
3.  Share information: Spending time encouraging family, friends, and the community to learn about radon can lead to them having their homes tested, reducing overall radon levels in your neighborhood and city.

The Risks of Radon

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It can be found trapped in the soil and rocks under homes, where it can seep into homes and build up to potentially poisonous levels.

Radon gas is invisible, odorless, and tasteless. It does not have short-term side effects that could cause alarm or warn of its presence. However, if inhaled in large amounts or for long periods of time, radon can cause lung cancer. 

Due to the health risks associated with radon, the EPA started promoting January as National Radon Action Month in the early 2000s. The goal was to provide an annual reminder of the importance of radon testing.

What to Do if You Detect High Radon Levels in Your Home?

If you test your home and discover readings of 4 pCi/L or above, take these actions to lower the radon levels:

1. Verify the results: After detecting high radon levels, the first step is to run a confirmatory test. This can be done by yourself or by hiring a specialized professional to handle the retesting.
2. Understand that the goal is reduction: Since radon is a naturally occurring gas, it can’t be entirely eliminated. Its levels can be easily, swiftly, and significantly reduced to minimize buildup.
3. Partner with a certified professional: Radon mitigation is an operation better left to a certified professional, as installing and implementing an effective radon mitigation system is a complex process requiring specialized knowledge and expertise.

Take the First Steps to Reducing Radon in Your Home

National Radon Action Month is the perfect time of the year to check your home for radon and spread awareness to your family, friends, and neighbors. 

As a certified nationwide leader in radon mitigation services, SWAT Environmental can help you educate yourself more about radon and its prevention. 

Contact us to learn more about radon testing and how you can reduce your home’s radon levels.

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