November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month: a time for education, support, and prevention. When we think of lung cancer, our minds rightly go to smoking. But what about the second leading cause? What if it was invisible, odorless, and potentially in your home right now?
That’s the reality of radon gas.
Radon is the #1 cause of lung cancer for non-smokers, responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. Because radon is a silent killer, misinformation and myths can be just as dangerous as the gas itself.
As the nation’s largest radon mitigation company, we’ve heard every question and misconception in the book. This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, we’re here to set the record straight. Here are the facts behind 13 of the most common radon myths.
Myths About Your Radon Risk
Myth 1: “Radon is just a scare tactic to sell services.”
Fact: This is the most dangerous myth of all. Radon is a well-documented, Class-A carcinogen. Its link to lung cancer is not a sales pitch; it is a scientific consensus backed by decades of research.
Organizations like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American Cancer Society, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the American Lung Association all identify radon as a serious public health risk. The 21,000 deaths it causes annually are not a “tactic;” they are sadly a preventable tragedy.
Myth 2: “My house is new, so it’s safe from radon.”
Fact: A home’s age has no bearing on its radon level. In fact, newer, more energy-efficient homes can sometimes have higher radon concentrations. This is because they are built to be airtight, which can trap gasses inside and prevent them from escaping.
Radon comes from the uranium decay in the soil under your home. If your home is built on soil-producing radon (which is nearly all soil), it can get in, new or old.
Myth 3: “My neighbor’s house tested low, so I’m fine.”
Fact: Radon levels are hyper-local. They can vary dramatically from house to house, even on the same street. Your neighbor’s test results tell you nothing about your own home.
Factors like your home’s specific construction, foundation cracks, and the exact soil composition underneath your slab are all unique. The only way to know the radon level in your home is to test your home.
Myth 4: “I don’t smoke, so radon won’t really affect me.”
Fact: This is tragically false. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer for people who have never smoked.
While the risk is exponentially higher for smokers (radon + smoking is a deadly combination), radon is a “synergistic” risk. It damages lung cells all on its own. Protecting your home from radon is one of the most important things you can do for your health, especially if you are a non-smoker.
Myth 5: “I can just open my windows to get rid of radon.”
Fact: Opening windows is not a mitigation strategy; it’s a temporary, unreliable, and highly inefficient “solution.”
While it may temporarily lower radon levels, you can’t keep your windows open 24/7, 365 days a year (especially in winter or summer). As soon as the windows are closed, radon levels can return to their original, dangerous concentrations within hours. A proper radon mitigation system is the only permanent, reliable fix.
Questions About Radon Testing
Q1: “Are those cheap DIY radon test kits accurate?”
Fact: Yes, they are a great and affordable first step. DIY kits, whether they are short-term (charcoal-based, 2-7 days) or long-term (alpha-track, 90+ days), are an excellent way to get a snapshot of your home’s radon levels.
As a company focused on fixing radon problems, we encourage DIY testing. It’s the easiest way for a homeowner to find out if they have a problem that needs to be solved. Just be sure to follow the instructions carefully (e.g., placing it in the lowest livable level, keeping windows closed during the test) to ensure an accurate reading.
Q2: “My test came back at 3.9 pCi/L. I’m safe, right?”
Fact: Not necessarily. The EPA sets the “Action Level” at $4.0 \text{ pCi/L}$ (picocuries per liter). This is the level at which they urge you to take action.
However, the EPA also has a “Consider Action” level between $2.0 \text{ pCi/L}$ and $3.9 \text{ pCi/L}$. Why? Because no amount of radon is considered truly safe. The risk of lung cancer is linear; it exists even at lower levels, and it increases as the level rises.
Our recommendation is simple: if you are concerned about a level of $3.0 \text{ pCi/L}$ or $3.9 \text{ pCi/L}$, you have a right to be. The goal is to get your home’s level as low as possible.
Q3: “How often should I test my home?”
Fact: The EPA recommends testing your home every 2-3 years. Radon levels can change over time due to ground-settling, new cracks in the foundation, or even extreme weather.
You should also re-test immediately after:
- Any major renovations (especially to your foundation, HVAC, or basement).
- If you begin using a lower level of your home (like a basement) as a living space or bedroom.
- After a mitigation system is installed, to ensure it’s working (we do this as part of our process).
Questions About Radon Mitigation
Q1: “What is the average cost of radon mitigation?”
Fact: This is the most common question we get. Every home is unique, and pricing can vary due to location and the geography around (and under) your home. The average cost of a standard radon mitigation system is around $1,440.
This price can vary depending on your home’s size, foundation type (slab, crawlspace, or mixed), and age. However, this one-time cost provides a permanent solution. When you compare it to the profound emotional and financial cost of a lung cancer diagnosis, it’s a small investment in your family’s long-term health and peace of mind.
Q2: “Is the mitigation system loud or ugly?”
Fact: No. This is a very common fear, and it’s completely understandable. Here’s the reality:
- Loud? The system’s only moving part is a specially designed, continuously running fan. These fans are engineered to be extremely quiet. Furthermore, we install them in attics, garages, or on the home’s exterior, so you will almost never hear it.
- Ugly? Our certified technicians are experts at installing systems discretely. We route the piping to be as unobtrusive as possible, often running it along an existing downspout or through a closet, to protect your home’s aesthetics.
Q3: “Will a radon system hurt my home’s resale value?”
Fact: It will do the exact opposite: it increases your home’s value.
Today, radon testing is a standard part of most real estate transactions. If a home tests high, it creates a major problem for the seller.
Having a professionally installed mitigation system is a massive selling point. It tells buyers that you were a responsible homeowner and provides them with documented proof that the home is safe. It removes a huge point of friction and makes the sale smoother.
Q4: “How do I know the mitigation system is actually working?”
Fact: You’ll have two clear indicators.
- The Post-Mitigation Test: After installation, we conduct a follow-up radon test to provide documented proof that the system has successfully lowered your radon levels.
- The U-Tube Manometer: Every active system includes a simple pressure gauge called a manometer. This is a U-shaped tube with a liquid inside. If the two columns of liquid are at uneven heights, it’s a simple, 24/7 visual confirmation that the fan is on and pulling air — and radon — from beneath your home.
Q5: “Why should I choose SWAT Environmental?”
Fact: When dealing with a health risk, you want to hire the most qualified expert. As the nation’s largest radon mitigation company, we have set the standard for quality, service, and professionalism.
Since 1988, SWAT Environmental has installed hundreds of thousands of radon mitigation systems nationwide. We are committed to protecting you from radon exposure in homes and workplaces everywhere
Our qualified technicians live and work locally to serve neighborhoods across the U.S. Our technicians follow state licensure and certification protocols, are insured and every new employee is subject to a thorough background check.
Conclusion: Get Facts, Not Fear
This Lung Cancer Awareness Month, the most powerful action you can take is prevention. When it comes to radon, don’t let myths or misinformation stop you from protecting your family.
The truth is simple: Radon is a real, serious risk. But it is also a fixable problem.
Know the facts. Know your numbers. And if you have a radon problem, know that there is a simple, permanent solution.
Ready to make your home safe? Contact SWAT Environmental today for your free, no-obligation quote for a radon mitigation system.