• Radon Inspections

  • Most home owners are not aware of the danger that comes with radon gases, but the trend now is that more and more home owners do a radon check in the home they live in, and not only in the home they are thinking of buying.  Living in an environment with elevated radon gases over time, can be extremely dangerous.

    *—Radon is estimated to cause over twenty one thousand (21,000) radon-related deaths from lung cancer each year in the U.S. (EPA estimate).

  • FACT SHEET for RADON in INDIANA

    • Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. for people who do not smoke.
    • Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the U.S. for people who smoke. The risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is 10-20% greater for smokers as for non-smokers.
    • Radon is estimated to cause twenty-one thousand (21,000) radon-related deaths from lung cancer each year in the U.S. (EPA estimate).
    • Radon is a naturally-occurring, radio-active gas that is found in the soil and it is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It can seep into your home through cracks, sumps, joints, basement drains or other tiny openings in foundations.
    • Elevated radon levels can be present in any type of home; old, new, basement, no basement, crawlspace or slab-on-grade. Because changes occur in our homes and environment, it is suggested to test your home for radon every five years.
    • Nearly 1 out of every 3 homes in Indiana is estimated to have radon levels (greater than 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Testing is inexpensive and easy – it should only take a few minutes of your time. The only way to be sure is to TEST YOUR HOME.

  • Radon Myths

    MYTH: Scientists are not sure that radon really is a problem. 

    FACT: Although some scientists dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all the major health organizations (like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers, since the risk to smokers is much greater than to non-smokers.

    MYTH: Radon testing is difficult, time-consuming and expensive. 

    FACT: Radon testing is easy. You can test your home yourself or hire a qualified radon test company. Either approach takes only a small amount of time and effort.

    MYTH: Homes with radon problems can't be fixed. 

    FACT: There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed radon problems in their homes. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs; check with one or more qualified mitigators. Call your Indiana State radon office at 1-800-272-9723 for help in identifying qualified mitigation contractors.

    MYTH: Radon affects only certain kinds of homes. 

    FACT: House construction can affect radon levels. However, radon can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements, and homes without basements. Local geology, construction materials, and how the home was built are among the factors that can affect radon levels in homes.

    MYTH: Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the country. 

    FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know if your radon level is too high; is to test your home.

    MYTH: A neighbor's test result is a good indication of whether your home has a problem. 

    FACT: It's not. Radon levels can vary greatly from home to home. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test your home.