Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year, but many people don’t know about radon or the risks it can pose to their health.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can enter homes through the soil and build up to dangerous levels inside buildings like homes and schools. It is colorless and odorless. The only way to know if your home has high levels of radon is to “test your nest!” Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive. You can find do-it-yourself test kits online and at home improvement stores, or you can hire a qualified professional to test your home.
According to the State of Michigan one in every four Michigan homes is expected to have radon levels that exceed the recommended federal action level.
Testing is recommended every two years because homes settle, new cracks form in the foundation and radon levels can change. If test results show radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L, the USEPA recommends installing a radon mitigation system. This system grabs the radon before it ever enters the home and vents it outside.
You can get a test kit from county and city health departments listed in the table below. They are also available from the MSU Extension offices. A complete list is here.
You can also purchase a test kit directly from the manufacturer: https://mi.radon.com/
This video will take you through the few easy steps provided in the radon test kit instructions to help you conduct the radon test properly.
Sources: EPA, State of Michigan