Is Your Home Making You or Your Family Sick? Ten Things You Should Know about RADON

1.Radon is a naturally occurring gas. RADON GETS IN THROUGH: 1. Cracks in solid floors. 2. Construction joints. 3. Cracks in walls. 4. Gaps in suspended floors. 5. Gaps around service pipes. 6. Cavities inside walls. 7. The water supply. Information Courtesy of U.S. EPA. Image Citation: U.S. EPA

2.Radon gas is odorless and invisible. Image Citation: Kansas State University and EPA. National Radon Poster Contest Winner.

3.Radon is a serious health risk. Breathing radon can increase your risk of lung cancer. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among people who do not smoke. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer for people who do smoke. Information Courtesy of U.S. EPA.

3.Radon is a serious health risk. Deaths per Year Information Courtesy of U.S. EPA.

4.Radon has been found in every state and every county in Kentucky. Kentucky Radon Map Image Citation: U.S. EPA Regardless of where you live you should test your home for radon!

5.Everyone should test their home for radon! Test Your Home for Radon if: It has been more than two years since the last test. You are buying a home. Your home or yard was recently renovated. Information courtesy of Purdue University.

6.Short-term and long-term radon tests are available. Image Citation: Kansas State University and EPA. National Radon Poster Contest Winner.

EPA Recommends the Following Testing Steps: Step 1. Take a short-term test. If your result is 4 pCi/L or higher, take a follow-up test (Step 2) to be sure. Step 2. Follow up with either a long-term test or a second short-term test: (For a better understanding of your year-round average radon level, take a long-term test. If you need results quickly, take a second short- term test.) The higher your initial short-term test result, the more certain you can be that you should take a short-term rather than a long-term follow up test. If your first short-term test result is more than twice EPA’s 4 pCi/L action level, you should take a second short-term test immediately. See next slide for Step 3. Information Courtesy of U.S. EPA.

EPA Recommends the Following Testing Steps: Step 3. If you followed up with a long-term test: Fix your home if your long- term test result is 4 pCi/L or more. If you followed up with a second short-term test: The higher your short-term results, the more certain you can be that you should fix your home. Consider fixing your home if the average of your first and second test is 4 pCi/L or higher. U.S. Surgeon General and Environmental Protection Agency recommend that homes with a radon level at or above 4 pCi/L be fixed. In addition, the Environmental Protection Agency recommends that individuals whose homes have a radon level between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L also consider fixing their homes. Information Courtesy of U.S. EPA.

7.You can fix a radon problem. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you have a qualified radon mitigation contractor fix your home because lowering high radon levels requires specific technical knowledge and special skills. Without the proper equipment or technical knowledge, you could actually increase your radon level or create other potential hazards and additional costs. (Information courtesy of U.S. EPA.) For a listing of contractors visit the National Radon Safety Board at or the National Radon Proficiency Program at

8.The cost of reducing radon in your home depends on how your home was built and the extent of the radon problem. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. (Information Courtesy of U.S. EPA.) Image Citation: Kansas State University and EPA. National Radon Poster Contest Winner.

9.New homes can be built with radon-resistant features.

10.Radon can also be found in water. If you’ve tested the air in your home and found a radon problem, and your water comes from a well, have your water tested. Information courtesy of U.S. EPA.

Eddie’s Story

Want Additional Information? Contact: Kentucky Radon Program (502) OR Your County Extension Agent OR Ashley Osborne (859) or

References and image citations are referenced in the Presenter’s Notes section for each slide. Ashley Osborne, M.S., Extension Associate for Environmental and Natural Resource Issues. November Copyright © 2013 for materials developed by University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or nonprofit purposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice. Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability or national origin.