Radon Myths

Radon Myths & Facts

MYTH: Scientists are not sure that radon 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 (less accurate) or hire a professional radon test company. Either approach takes only a small amount of time and effort.

MYTH: Homes with high radon levels can’t be fixed. FACT: There are time tested solutions to radon problems in homes. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already mitigated high radon levels in their homes. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. The average cost of mitigation is approximately $700-$800 in the St. Louis Metro area.

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, homes with basements and homes without basements. Local geology, roof pitch 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 your radon level is to test.

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 it.

MYTH: It’s difficult to sell homes where radon problems have been discovered. FACT: Where radon problems have been fixed, home sales have not been blocked or frustrated. Radon in our area is generally understood as something to be tested for in the course of a real estate transaction.

MYTH: I’ve lived in my home for so long, it doesn’t make sense to take action now. FACT: You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce radon levels, even if you’ve lived with a radon problem for a long time.

MYTH: Short-term tests can’t be used for making a decision about whether to fix your home. FACT: If the radon test is part of a real estate transaction, the result of two short-term tests can be us