January is Radon Action Month!

Radon in homes and drinking water is a common and preventable cancer risk. Common misconceptions may be undermining testing, leading to lung cancer.

Of all the unwelcome house guests you may ever host, few are as nasty as radon.

The colorless, odorless gas occurs naturally in NH soils and is found at elevated levels in homes in the state. It also is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. In fact, each year this unwelcome house guest kills more than 21,000 people across the country. While there are cheap and easy ways to test for radon, many people are unaware of the risks and may not be getting the help they need to be safe.

Fortunately, the radon risk is largely preventable through testing homes and eliminating radon problems through improved ventilation and other measures. With more people working from home, it’s more important than ever to test homes for radon because testing is the only way to know if a home has radon levels at or above the level that presents a health risk.

January is Radon Action Month, and we are making a special push to urge everyone to test their home and private well water for radon.

“Unfortunately, many people are still exposed to high levels of radioactive radon without being aware of it and this puts them at increased risk for lung cancer,” said Dan Tranter, supervisor of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Indoor Air Program.?“We’ve heard a lot of common misunderstandings that discourage people from testing their home for radon.”

For example, many people think their home does not need to be tested, or that if they test once they don’t need to test again, or if their neighbor’s radon level is low, they don’t need to test.

Testing should be conducted in all homes, regardless of foundation type, soil type, age, presence of an air exchanger, or insulation, Tranter said. Even if the initial test shows the radon level is low, it’s a good idea to retest at least every five years because levels may change. Homes with mitigation systems should also be re-tested. The monitors on mitigation systems do not show the radon level, so it’s important to re-test at least every two years. New homes are built with radon resistant features, but they can still have elevated radon and should be tested.

[if you are in NH you can obtain a free radon test kit here: https://drhomeair.fmbetterforms.com/#/new-hampshire-free

Hardware stores may also stock test kits. Licensed professionals can also conduct testing.

See map of radon in NH that was created by NHDHHS: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/radon/documents/radon-map-nh.pdf

Testing and mitigation are less frequent in communities with lower incomes and more renters.

Health professionals recommend testing for radon during real-estate transactions. Sellers must disclose any prior radon testing and provide a two-page publication to buyers under state law. Radon tests should be incorporated into a home inspection.?

Tests should be done in the lowest level of the home that is frequently occupied. Test devices are usually placed in the home for two to five days. The best time to test is during the heating season, but testing can be done year-round.

In homes with high radon levels, radon reduction typically involves installing a venting pipe and fan to pull the gas from under the home to the outside.?

Information on radon mitigation professionals can be found here: https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/radon/mitigation.htm.

Also important to see if you have radon in your drinking water if you have a bedrock drinking water well because it can off-gas in your shower, etc. You can do it yourself by ordering a kit here ($40): https://granitestateanalytical.myshopify.com/collections/residential?page=2https://granitestateanalytical.myshopify.com/collections/residential?page=2

(Adapted from MDH)