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FAQs

What is Radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that is found in soil and rock in all parts of the United States. It is formed by the decay of uranium, which is a natural process. Radon gas is invisible, and it has no odor or taste.

Isn’t radon just a scare tactic so people can get my money?
Not at all. Radon is real and you should be concerned. There is overwhelming proof that Radon is a threat to you and your family’s health. If you live in the Greater Pittsburgh area, you should get your home tested!

Feel free to visit these independent websites to learn more about Radon:

What Types of Buildings Contain Radon?
Radon may be found in all types of homes and buildings in the United States. If there is radon gas in the ground, it can seep into a building. Radon typically moves up from the ground into a home through drains, cracks or other holes in the foundation. Radon then can be trapped inside the home.

How Does Radon Affect Health?
Studies show that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, behind cigarette smoking. The higher the radon level indoors, the greater the amount you breathe. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As they break down, these particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue.

Inhaling indoor air containing radon over a period of many years can increase your risk of getting lung cancer. Your chance of getting lung cancer from radon depends on how much radon is in your home and how much time you spend in your home. If you are a smoker or a former smoker, the risk of getting lung cancer from radon is even greater.

What do radon test results mean?
Radon levels are measured in “pico Curies per Liter” or “pCi/L.” The higher the level, the greater the risk from long-term exposure. EPA recommends that you take action to reduce radon if the radon level in your home is 4 pCi/L or higher. (This “action level” was set at 4 pCi/L partly because it is technically possible to reduce radon to 4 pCi/L in most homes.)

If you took a short-term test and your results were 4 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends doing a second test to confirm the results. You can do this follow-up test yourself, or you can contact the owner about the owner doing further testing. The Appendix contains an excerpt from EPA’s Citizen’s Guide to Radon, which explains more about follow-up testing.

What Can You Do if Your Home has High Radon Levels?
Fixing a radon problem usually involves repairs to the building. Therefore, it is generally the building owner - and not the tenant - who is authorized to have this work done. However, if your home has high radon levels, you can take steps to see that the problem is fixed.

If your radon testing shows high radon levels, you should inform the building owner in writing. In most states, owners are required generally to keep their properties “habitable” - safe and fit for people to live in. You can give the owner a copy of your test results and discuss what steps the owner plans to take to fix the problem. The owner will probably need to do more radon testing in the building. You can ask for copies of those test results.

If you live in an apartment building, you can share your radon information with other residents. Other residents may wish to test their own units or to discuss the matter further with the owner. (Even if your radon test showed low radon levels, there may be high levels in other parts of the building.)

If you are concerned that a radon problem in your building is not being fixed, you may want to get more information and advice. For example, your state radon office can provide you and the building owner with more specific information about testing for and fixing radon problems. Local community organizations that work on radon or housing problems may be able to help find ways to fix the radon problem in your building.