Get matched with top radon detection and reduction specialists in Shelton, NE

The only way to determine if you have a radon problem in your home is to have professional testing done. You can buy DIY radon test kits, but these are sometimes inaccurate in certain temperatures and humidity levels, and they don’t paint the entire picture in terms of your radon exposure. Scheduling testing once every two to five years is best. You can also look out for the following symptoms, which, according to the American Cancer Society, are symptoms of radon exposure:

• Shortness of breath

• Cough

• Tightness in the chest

• Difficulty swallowing

• Hoarseness

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.

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.