In short, YES! But, it is easy to deal with to make your home safe!

What is radon?

Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of Uranium in soil. It can seep up into your home regardless of if the home is old & drafty or new and sealed tight!

Why should you test for radon?

• There is no rhyme or reason to if your home has radon; it can skip your neighbor’s home, but be present in your home.
• Radon is deadly!. It is actually the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths.
• The only way to find out if a home has radon is to test it.

Who tests for radon & how is it done?

In Kansas real estate transactions, radon testing is always done by a professional certified by the Kansas Department of Health & Environment (KDHE). Many home inspectors in Lawrence are certified radon professionals and will perform the test during the home inspection timeframe.

The inspector will set the radon test in the basement of the home and the unit will monitor the levels of radon present for a period of 48 hours. Then the report is read and hopefully shows levels of radon to be under a level of 4. Anything over 4 will require radon mitigation in order for the home to be safe.

Personal radon testing kits are available, but they are not considered acceptable in a real estate transaction.

What happens if radon is found to be present?

Mitigation is required if radon is found in the home. A radon mitigation company will install a mitigation system that will continuously pump the radon gas out of the home to maintain a safe level. The homeowner can then monitor the mitigation device to make sure the system is working properly.

My 2 Cents

I always recommend that my clients have radon testing done! Take away the risk of having a cancer causing gas in your home! It is a small price to pay for the peace of mind of knowing you are safe.

For more information, visit the Kansas Radon Program at:www.kansasradonprogram.org