Now is the Best Time to Test for Cancer-Causing Radon Gas, Found in 31% of Missouri Homes

Radon remains the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the latest American Lung Association “State of Lung Cancer” report reveals that in Missouri, about 31% of radon test results equal or exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level of 4 pCi/L. During the winter and spring months, the Lung Association in Missouri strongly urges all residents to test their home for radon and take immediate steps to mitigate if high levels are found.

Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the ground. Radon can enter a home through cracks in floors, basement walls, foundations and other openings. Radon can be present at high levels inside homes, schools and other buildings. It is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked.

“In the U.S., people spend an average of 90% of their time indoors, and with more people working from home, indoor air quality can significantly impact your health. There are many things we can do to improve our indoor air quality, like not smoking inside, not burning candles and using non-toxic cleaning supplies, but testing for radon is critical to preventing lung cancer,” said Alexis Gigliello, Manager of Nationwide Health Promotions, Indoor Air Quality for the American Lung Association. “During colder months, homes are typically sealed tighter with closed windows and doors, trapping radon gas inside. This makes it the best time to test for the gas, because the most accurate radon gas levels can be detected when the home is closed up.”

The only way to detect radon in a home is to test your home. Do-it-yourself test kits are simple to use and inexpensive. They are available for sale on the Lung Association’s website here.

EPA urges anyone with radon levels at or above 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) to take action to install a mitigation system in their homes. Both the EPA and the American Lung Association recommend that mitigation be considered if levels are greater than 2 pCi/L. After high levels are detected, a radon professional should install a radon mitigation system, which is easy and relatively affordable. A typical radon mitigation system consists of sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation of your home and a vent pipe. This system draws radon gas from the soil underneath the home’s foundation and vents it through the roof of your home. An exhaust fan is added for new construction or if extra power is needed.

When mitigating radon in your home, the Lung Association recommends selecting a contractor certified by the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) or the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP). More information on radon mitigation in Missouri is available here.

To learn more about radon testing and mitigation, visit at Lung.org/radon and take the Lung Association’s free Radon Basics course at Lung.org/radon-basics.