Get matched with top radon detection and reduction specialists in Sulphur, LA

What is radon? It’s a radioactive gas that naturally occurs in the ground, forming as uranium and thorium decay. It has no color or odor, so you don’t know if it’s seeping into your building’s foundation. Regular exposure to radon gas increases your chances of suffering from lung cancer. Radon testing measures the air inside your house for the presence of radon gas. If detected, the test will measure the severity of radon levels in your home’s air.

A radon test has no effect on humans—only the radon in the air does. The test does not redistribute the radon that is already present so yes, it’s safe to be around the testing kit even if it isn’t safe to be in the room itself. The test absorbs and measures the radon, but doesn't absorb enough of it to make the room any safer.

The soil beneath your house is most likely what’s causing an increased level of radon. This is because soil holds radioactivity for a long time and it’s also what most buildings are built on. Another common source of radon is water from a source that hasn’t been through periodic radon tests, such as well water. Over time, the radon from the soil can inhabit other parts of your house like the foundation or plumbing.

It is worthwhile to get radon testing done, especially if you haven’t in the past and don’t have active radon monitoring set up in your home. According to the American Lung Association, radon is a potential issue in all states, and testing is the best way to determine if it’s a current problem in your home. Radon testing includes professional tests that determine ongoing radon levels in your property, and it usually includes a mitigation protocol to help you decide what measures to take to protect your home and household members.