Is There Such a Thing as a Safe Level of Radon?

Although you may know enough about radon to understand that it’s dangerous to your health, you might not have the details regarding its presence in your home. Radon is a pesky issue, and it’s undetectable with your senses; as a result, you should test your house at least once every two years to ensure your family’s safety. If you’re unsure about your home’s radon levels, read on to learn whether or not there’s such a thing as a safe level of radon.

The Short Answer

The short answer is no; there’s no safe measure of radon gas. However, it exists naturally in the atmosphere, meaning it’s nearly impossible for there to be no radon gas indoors or outdoors. Generally, outdoor radon levels range from 0.4 to 0.75 pCi/L, which isn’t a cause for concern.

Because the wind constantly moves the gas, it doesn’t have the opportunity to build up outside. On the other hand, radon can linger much longer inside your home due to a lack of ventilation or air movement.

An Acceptable Measure

Although there’s no safe measure of radon, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recommendations regarding the amount at which you should fix your home’s radon levels—4.0 pCi/L is rather high, making it a dangerous measure. You must use radon mitigation to bring your home’s levels down if they reach or exceed that amount, but the EPA also recommends considering radon mitigation for any measure between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L.

Radon Mitigation in Your Home

Whether or not you’ve done this before, radon testing and mitigation are critical for maintaining your family’s health. If you have a basement, your levels may be higher in that area because radon typically comes from the soil beneath your home. This doesn’t mean you can’t have radon issues without a basement, though. Consider radon mitigation for crawl spaces to ensure you’re protected regardless of your home layout.

Now that you know whether or not there’s such a thing as a safe level of radon, you can take proper steps to protect your health and wellness. If you can’t remember the last time you used a radon test, consider using one now and remember to check your home consistently every two years to ensure your safety.