Radon is a cancer causing radioactive gas You cannot see radon, and you cannot smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home. That is because when you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. In fact the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Testing is the only way to find out your home's radon level. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor for radon.

If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

EPA recommends that you test your home before putting it on the market and, if necessary, lower your radon levels. Save the test results and all information you have about steps that were taken to fix any problems. This could be a positive selling point.

EPA recommends that you obtain the indoor radon level in a home you are considering buying. Ask the seller for radon test results. If the home has a radon reduction system, ask the seller for information about the system.

What should you do if you find a high radon level?

EPA recommends that you take action to reduce your home's indoor radon levels if your radon test result is 4pCi/L or higher.

It is preferable to correct a radon problem before placing your home on the market because then you have more time to address a radon problem. If elevated levels are found during the real estate transaction, the buyer and seller should discuss the timing and costs of the radon reduction, as with any other aspect of the home purchase and sale.

The cost of making repaires to reduce radon depends on how your home was built and other factors. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs, like painting or having a new hot water heater installed. The average cost for a contractor to lower radon levels in a home is about $1200, although this can range from $500 to about $2500.

Even though you cannot see or smell radon, it is not hard to find out if you have a radon problem in your home.

Types of Radon Devices

Since you cannot see or smell radon, special equipment is needed to detect it. You can buy radon devices in retail stores when you want to test you own home, send away for radon devices from laboratories that offer mail order services, or you can hire an EPA listed or state certified radon tester who will test using radon devices that are appropriate for the situation.

There is a potential for test interference in real estate transactions. There are a number of ways to prevent or detect test interference such as:

• Print-out report which frequently records radon or decay product levels to detect unusual swings;
• Motion detectors to determine whether the test device has been moved or testing conditions have changed;
• Proximity detectors to reveal the presence of people in the room which may correlate to possible changes in radon levels during the test;
• Record of barometric pressure to identify weather conditions which may have affected the test;
• Temperature record to help assess whether doors and windows have been opened; and
• Taping windows shut to ensure house conditions.

In many cases, home buyers and sellers may decide to have the radon test done by a professional radon tester. Make sure that the company you hire is listed in EPA's Radon Measurement Proficiency (RMP) Program or your state's certification program, if it has one.

EPA's Radon Measurement Proficiency (RMP) program is designed to help you get reliable radon tests. RMP program participants are required to shoe their ability to make accurate tests and follow quality assurance and EPA test guideline. EPA issues RMP report for your state. These reports list testing companies and individuals in you area qualified to follow EPA's residential radon testing requirement. Make sure you ask to see the professional radon tester's ID card.

All inspections are completed to the Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics of the American Society of Home Inspectors.