Radon (atomic number: 86, symbol: Rn) is a radioactive gas that is produced by the decay of radium (atomic number: 88, symbol: Ra), and radium is itself created by the breakdown of uranium (atomic number: 92, symbol: U). Since uranium deposits are in the soil everywhere in varying amounts, its second-generation byproduct of radon gas also occurs everywhere. 

    Radon levels are measured in pico-curies per liter of air (pCi/L), and outdoor air has a level of around 0.4 pCi/L. Average indoor air is slightly elevated at 1.3 pCi/L. As radon is generated by uranium/radium in the soil, it rises up and can be drawn into a home and accumulate to even higher levels. The EPA recommends taking action to reduce indoor radon levels when they are at 4.0 pCi/L or higher. The radon reduction work is called “mitigation,” and the contractors that are specifically licensed to do it are “mitigation contractors.”

    For more information about radon we recommend that you visit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s radon homepage at http://www.epa.gov/radon/. Click on any of the three report covers below to download consumer guides to radon from the EPA.

    Also, see our blog posts Will opening the windows reduce the radon level in a house? and Does Florida have radon?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Here’s links to a collection of our blog posts about “RADON":

• Is a radon mitigation fan required to be on a dedicated circuit breaker/fuse in the electric panel?

• What happens to a radon test result if the windows were opened, the test device moved, or there was any other evidence of tampering during the test? 

• Where do I find the Florida laws regarding radon?

• Can I test vacant land for radon before building a house? 

• Is radon mitigation possible for a condominium?

• Do radon mitigation systems require maintenance?

• What is the average life expectancy of a radon mitigation system?  

• Can a homebuyer do their own radon test for a real estate transaction with a self-test kit?

• What is the danger of radon in well water?

• What are the symptoms of radon poisoning? 

• Does Florida have radon? 

• For how many years does an old radon test result remain valid?

• Should homeowners get a pre-listing radon test before selling their home?

• What are a homebuyer's options when the radon test comes back high (4.0 pico-curies/liter or more)? 

• Do granite countertops emit radon?

• How can I tell if a house has a radon mitigation system? 

• Can a mobile/manufactured home have a high radon problem?

• Do I need to test for radon when buying a condominium? 

• What does a radon mitigation contractor do to lower the radon level in a home?

• How can not testing for radon be an expensive mistake for homebuyers? 

• Will the radon test come back sky-high in a house that has been empty and closed-up for months? 

• What is radon? Should I be concerned about it?

• Should I buy a house with a high radon level? 

• What is the average radon level of indoor and outdoor air in America?

• What is the operating cost of a radon mitigation system? 

• Should I buy a house with a radon mitigation system?

• Does the buyer or seller of a home pay for radon mitigation when the radon test comes back high? 

• What is the probability of having high radon in a Florida house?

• How quickly do I need to reduce a high radon level in my house? 

• Does a home inspector check for radon?

• What are the problems with underground return air ducts? 

• What is the probability of having high radon in a Florida house?

• What factors can change radon test levels up or down?

    Visit our RADON page for other related blog posts on this subject, or go to the INDEX for a complete listing of all our articles.