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No level of radon is technically safe, but since it is present everywhere, complete avoidance is impossible. The average radon level in homes across the United States is 1.3 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends taking preventative measures if your home's radon levels are between 2 and 4 pCi/L or higher.

The lifespan of a radon mitigation system depends on the type of system and its maintenance. With proper care, a system can last for many decades. Passive systems tend to last longer as they have fewer components that require replacement. Active systems, which have more moving parts like fans, generally have a shorter lifespan. For instance, water filtration devices and active pressurization systems require more frequent maintenance. While the system as a whole is durable, the radon fan in an active system typically has a lifespan of 5 to 10 years and will need to be replaced. As long as the fan is working, the mitigation system should function correctly.

Radon enters your home when warm air begins to rise and exits through the roof, creating a vacuum that pulls cooler air from under the foundation. Part of that air is radon, which is an invisible, odorless gas that develops naturally when radioactive particles are deep within the ground. Those particles usually come from decaying matter in soil and rocks.

Radon is the number one non-smoking cause of lung cancer in the United States, but it can cause some other concerning side effects in the meantime. If you have a raspy voice, chest pains, trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing, or any of the above, don’t hesitate to perform radon testing and install a mitigation system as soon as possible.