The natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water can cause radon to appear in a home. The gas seeps into homes through cracks in foundations, walls, or floors, as well as through gaps around pipes or construction joints. Radon levels are influenced by soil composition, building materials, and ventilation. Poorly sealed or airtight homes can trap radon, allowing it to accumulate.

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.

No, air purifiers are not an effective way to reduce or remove radon. Radon is a radioactive, inert gas that cannot be filtered by standard air purifiers, which are designed to capture particulates like dust and mold. While an air purifier can improve indoor air quality by removing other pollutants, it should not be relied upon for radon. The only effective solution for high radon levels is a dedicated radon mitigation system.

If your home has a sump pit, you can integrate it with a radon mitigation system. You can accomplish this by sealing the pump cover with an airtight lid that accommodates radon vent pipes and sump pump hoses. This allows the vent pipe to redirect the radon gas outside of your home.