Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, and invisible radioactive gas that can seep into homes from the ground. Exposure to it can cause lung cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The only way to know whether a home has radon is to do a radon test.

The EPA recommends that all homes be tested for radon and that corrective action be taken if the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (4 pCi/L) or higher. In PA, more than 40% of homes are estimated to have radon levels higher than 4 pCi/L, according to the PA DEP. Information about radon’s health risks and radon reduction can be found on the EPA’s web site.

Home buyers in our area usually include a radon test as part of their offer. When test results show radon higher than the EPA action level, buyers typically ask the sellers to install a radon mitigation system prior to closing. Even when the sellers have disclosed that a radon mitigation system is already in place, buyers are still likely to test to confirm that the system is working.

Though most buyers do a radon test, some choose to waive the test if their offer is one of several competing offers. If you fall into this category, you should still test for radon after closing and take corrective action if the radon level is high.

Photo courtesy of the PA Association of Realtors

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See more of Annette’s articles on related real estate topics. If you’re planning to buy or sell a home, contact Annette at (610) 247-7892 or annette@preferredhomes.com

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