What You Should Know About Radon
Pennsylvania Radon Services Document
What Is Radon?
Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas. It comes from the breakdown of uranium in the rocks and soil. Radon enters your home through hollow block walls, cracks in the foundation floor and walls, and openings around floor drains, perimeter drains, pipes, electrical wires and sump pits. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer. According to the CDC,
“radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year”.
Testing
The only way to ensure your family’s safety is to test for radon in your home. The EPA suggests installing radon mitigation systems if your radon level is 4 picocuries per lit (pCi/L) or higher. To learn more about testing for radon in your home check out Pennsylvania Citizen’s Guide To Radon here.
How to reduce RADON levels in your home
Atlantic Radon Systems Inc will reduce the radon levels by installing a radon mitigation system. The most common type of systems uses an arrangement of plastic pipes and a fan to vent the radon gas to the outside air.
For more information:
EPA Radon Website:
PA DEP Radon Website: