Radon: What Homeowners Need to Know

Radon is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that can be present in homes without any noticeable warning signs. Because it cannot be detected through sight, smell, or taste, proper radon testing is the only reliable way to determine the radon level inside a home.

5D Home Inspections provides professional radon testing designed to measure radon levels with minimal disruption to the home. Testing provides homeowners with information they can use to understand their indoor environment and determine whether further action may be appropriate.

What Is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced as uranium breaks down in soil, rock, and groundwater. Outdoors, radon generally disperses into the air. Inside a home, however, the gas can enter through cracks, gaps, and other openings that come into contact with the ground.

Once inside, radon can become trapped and accumulate to elevated levels over time.

Radon does not have a color, odor, or taste. A homeowner cannot determine whether radon is present by looking around the property or noticing a particular smell. Testing is necessary to measure the concentration inside the home.

How Does Radon Enter a Home?

Radon can enter through openings and penetrations in areas of a home that contact the ground. These can include cracks and gaps that allow soil gas to move into the building.

The presence of radon cannot be reliably determined from a home’s age, appearance, or condition. Elevated radon can occur in:

• New homes
• Older homes
• Homes with basements
• Homes with crawlspaces
• Homes built on slab-on-grade foundations

Neighboring properties can also have significantly different radon levels. A nearby home having low radon levels does not establish the radon level of another property.

Is Radon a Concern in New Jersey?

Radon is a concern throughout New Jersey. Elevated radon levels have been found in homes in every New Jersey county.

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection recommends testing all homes, including homes in areas classified as having low or moderate radon potential. Homeowners can also review the NJDEP Radon Potential Map to learn more about radon potential in their area.

What Are the Health Concerns Associated With Radon?

Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels increases the risk of lung cancer.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency identifies radon as the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The risk associated with radon exposure is substantially greater for people who smoke.

Because radon cannot be detected through normal senses, testing provides an important way to determine whether elevated concentrations are present in a home.

Why Should a Home Be Tested for Radon?

A home’s appearance does not reliably indicate whether elevated radon is present. The same applies to the home’s age, foundation type, or overall condition.

Testing provides actual information about the radon concentration within the home. This can be particularly relevant when purchasing a home, evaluating an existing property, or determining whether additional action may be appropriate.

If elevated concentrations are identified, a qualified radon mitigation professional can evaluate the property and recommend measures to reduce radon levels.

What Does Radon Testing Involve?

Professional radon testing is designed to provide reliable information while requiring minimal disruption to the home. Testing equipment is placed in a designated location and remains there throughout the testing period.

Homeowners may need to follow specific conditions before and during the test. These conditions help maintain an appropriate testing environment and can include keeping exterior windows and doors closed, operating heating and cooling systems normally, and avoiding fans that bring substantial amounts of outdoor air into the home.

The specific instructions can vary based on the property, equipment, weather, and testing protocol.

How Can Homeowners Prepare for Radon Testing?

Before a typical short-term radon test, homeowners should follow the instructions provided by the testing professional. General preparation may include:

• Keeping exterior windows and doors closed for at least 12 hours before testing and throughout the testing period
• Maintaining normal heating and cooling conditions
• Discussing systems that continuously bring outdoor air into the home with the inspector before testing
• Avoiding whole-house or window fans that bring substantial amounts of outdoor air into the home
• Leaving the testing equipment in its designated location throughout the testing period
• Following any additional instructions provided by the testing professional

Normal entry and exit are permitted, provided exterior doors are closed promptly.

Understanding the Importance of Radon Testing

Radon can be present without producing any visible or noticeable signs. Testing provides homeowners with measurable information about the concentration inside the home.

5D Home Inspections provides professional radon testing with minimal disruption to the property. When elevated concentrations are identified, the results can help homeowners determine whether consultation with a qualified radon mitigation professional is appropriate.

For homeowners who want to understand the radon level in their property, professional testing provides the information needed to make informed decisions about the indoor environment.