WHAT IS RADON AND WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

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1. Radon is a carcinogen, a substance known to cause cancer in humans. 

2. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers

3. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has no odor, color, or taste.

4. Radon is produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Uranium is found in all soils and in higher concentrations in granite, shale and phosphates. As it decays into radon gas, the radon moves through the soil into the atmosphere, where it is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air or can enter buildings through the foundation and become trapped inside. When it enters a building, it can accumulate and present a health risk for occupants. Buildings other than homes can also have radon concerns (such as commercial buildings, schools, apartments, etc.).

5. All homes, offices, stores and schools should be tested for radon, and many more need to be tested.

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For more information, please read: A Citizen's Guide to Radon (an EPA publication)

 

The Nevada Radon Education Program (NREP) is a UNR program funded through an EPA grant to educate Nevadans about the health risk posed by elevated levels of radon in the home. 

https://extension.unr.edu/radon/default.aspx 

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HOW DO YOU TEST FOR RADON?

Since you can't see, smell or taste radon, testing is the only way to find out if you have a radon problem. Certified Radon Services will place one or more calibrated machines in specific locations in the home for at least 48 hours. After the 48 hours, we provide a print-out with radon gas readings for each hour as well as an average radon level for full the 48 hours. 

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We ask that all windows and doors be kept closed as much as possible. In occupied homes, normal opening and closing of doors will not affect readings dramatically, but no doors or windows should be left open. We also ask that all doors and windows be kept closed for the 12-hours prior to testing as well. 

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WHAT DO YOU DO IF RADON LEVELS ARE HIGH?

Radon mitigation contractors are professionals who can install the pipes into the ground under the house, run those pipes to the exterior and cap off the pipe with a fan to pull the radon gas from the earth to the exterior of the home. The EPA and Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health recommend the use of individuals who have been trained, passed an examination, and are certified to provide radon mitigation services.

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Click HERE for a list of Northern Nevada Certified Radon Mitigators​