Myths about radon can be harmful in several different ways. Believing that radon is not a problem or misunderstanding how radon gas forms naturally can lead to further loss of life. Awareness and proper testing is the first step in remediating your home of this cancer causing gas.

Myths About Radon

MYTH: Scientists are not even sure radon is really a problem.
FACT: While there is some dispute over the exact number of deaths caused by radon gas, all major health organizations such as the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), ALA (American Lung Association) and EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) agree that radon does cause cancer resulting in thousands of preventable deaths each year. Smokers are at a particularly higher risk than others.


MYTH: Radon testing is expensive, time consuming and quite difficult.
FACT: Radon testing is very affordable. You can test your home yourself or hire a qualified radon testing company such as PropertyExam. Either approach takes only a small amount of time and effort. Compared to the financial cost of dealing with a life threatening disease, testing for radon is extremely affordable.


MYTH: Radon testing is inaccurate and unreliable.
FACT: There are many methods for testing for radon. Most are very reliable and the tests can be performed in as little as a few minutes.


MYTH: Homes with radon problems can’t be fixed. Once infected with radon, even if you clean it out, it will keep on coming back.
FACT: There are several options for dealing with radon issues in the home or in a commercial building. Hundreds of thousands of homeowners all across the United States have already fixed radon problems in their homes. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. Although we don’t provide radon mitigation services at PropertyExam we have professional relationships with several providers who are able to install ventilation systems and use other radon mitigation techniques to rid your house of the radioactive gas. Call us today to take the first step and have your home inspected for radon gas.


MYTH: Radon affects only certain kinds of homes. New homes don’t have problems with radon. Only homes with basements can have radon problems.
FACT: A homes construction methods and materials can affect radon levels, as can the location which the home is built. However radon can affect all kinds of homes even new houses. It doesn’t matter if your home is old, new, drafty, well insulated, with or without a basement. Local geology plays the largest role in whether or not radon gas will get trapped in your home. Certain construction materials and how the home was built can also factor into the possibility of high levels of radon gas in your home.


MYTH: Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the United States. I live in a clean state so I don’t have to worry about it.
FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state. Some areas of the country have lower levels of radon overall but that doesn’t mean you are safe from contamination. Typically the areas known for lower levels range from low to moderate risk while the areas known for higher risk range from low to high risk. Living in a particular region is not a good reason to avoid inspection. For our clients living in the Portland, Oregon area its important to note that the region has some very high levels of radon gas in many areas in and around the city.


MYTH: My neighbor had their home tested and it was clean so my air is also good.
FACT: This is not correct. 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. Earlier in this post we mentioned some of the different factors that can affect radon levels in homes such as construction methods and materials as well as age and geologic differences.


MYTH: Everyone should test their water for radon.
FACT: Although radon gets into some homes through water, it is important to first test the air in the home for radon. If your water comes from a public water supply that uses ground water, call your water supplier. If high radon levels are found and the home has a private well, call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1 800-426-4791 for information on testing your water.


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. The added protection is some times a good selling point.


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.