Radon and Indoor Air Quality: Health Risks and How to Mitigate

When we talk about indoor air quality, most people think of things like dust, mold, and pet dander. But one of the most serious threats to your home's air is actually something you can't see or smell. It's radon, a naturally occurring gas that can seep into your home from the ground below. Families may be exposed for years without knowing.

Radon is silent, invisible, and dangerous. But here’s the good news: it’s also manageable. Let’s walk through what radon is, how it affects your indoor air, and what you can do to protect your home and health.

What Is Radon and Where Does It Come From?

Radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally when uranium breaks down in soil and rock.

Outdoors, it disperses quickly and isn’t usually a problem. Indoors, though, it can get trapped — especially in basements or lower levels — and build up to unsafe levels over time. It typically enters your home through:

• Cracks in the foundation
• Gaps around pipes or drains
• Crawl spaces and sump pumps
• Well water in some cases

Every home is different, which means even neighboring homes can have very different radon levels.

How Radon Impacts Indoor Air Quality

Since radon is odorless and invisible, it’s easy to overlook. But it has a major effect on your home’s indoor air quality. The more time you spend in areas with high radon — like basements, home offices, or bedrooms — the more your exposure adds up.

That’s why radon testing is essential for homeowners, buyers, and even sellers. It’s the only way to know if you have a problem.

Health Effects Linked to Radon

This part might surprise you: radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, right after smoking. According to the EPA, it’s responsible for tens of thousands of lung cancer deaths each year.

People who smoke are at greater risk when exposed to radon, and children may also be more vulnerable due to their developing lungs and more rapid breathing.

There are no early symptoms of radon exposure. It’s a long-term health risk, which makes proactive testing even more important.

Should You Test for Radon

Yes, every homeowner should test their home, no matter where they live. While some areas have higher radon levels in the soil, radon can be found in homes across all 50 states.

Here’s when to consider testing:

• If your home has never been tested
• Before buying or selling a home
• After major renovations, especially in basements or crawl spaces
• Every two years, even if your home previously tested within safe levels, that could quickly change

Even when radon isn’t a known issue in your area, it's worth getting an expert’s opinion.

How Radon Testing Works

There are two ways to test for radon:

1. DIY radon kits: Inexpensive and available at most hardware stores. You leave them in a room for a few days, then mail them to a lab. There are many ways to accidentally tamper with a radon test kit, so read the instructions carefully if you intend to do it yourself or hire a professional.
2. Professional testing: Done by trained inspectors using advanced equipment. It’s more accurate as these monitors tend to be more sensitive. Professional radon testing is often required during real estate transactions.

At WIN Home Inspection, certified local inspectors use cutting-edge tools for fast, reliable radon-testing results. If elevated levels are found, they’ll also walk you through the next steps toward mitigation.

Steps To Reduce Radon in Your Home

If your radon level is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, you need mitigation. But even slightly lower levels can still carry risk.

You can reduce the presence of radon in your home by

• Installing a radon mitigation system: This typically involves a vent pipe and fan that pull radon from under the home and release it outside.
• Sealing cracks and gaps: Helps reduce radon entry points, especially in basements.
• Improving airflow: More ventilation can help lower radon buildup.

Professional mitigation systems are effective and can reduce radon levels by up to 99%. If you have a mitigation installed, retest your home every five years to ensure it’s continuing to work properly and higher than higher-than-safe levels of radon are no longer accumulating in your home.

Why Trust a Certified Inspector

Certified radon inspectors are trained to:

• Use the latest testing equipment
• Understand your home’s structure and airflow
• Provide clear, unbiased guidance
• Help you protect your home and family without upselling

You also get peace of mind knowing the results are accurate and actionable.

Final Thoughts

Because there are no early symptoms, radon is often called a “silent killer.” But with testing, you don’t have to live with uncertainty. Whether you're a new homeowner, planning to sell, or just taking good care of your home, radon testing is a smart step for your health and safety.

At WIN Home Inspection, we make it easy to take that step with fast, professional radon testing that helps you see more clearly and breathe easier.