Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that can accumulate inside homes and increase the risk of lung cancer over time. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among people who do not smoke.
Radon is a serious concern for Nebraska homeowners. Elevated levels have been found in every Nebraska county with available testing data, and levels can vary significantly from one property to another. Testing is the only way to determine whether radon is present in your home.
Here are 10 important things Nebraska homeowners should know about radon testing, results, and mitigation.
1. Radon Is Common in Nebraska
Radon forms naturally when uranium in soil and rock breaks down. The gas can enter a home through foundation cracks, construction joints, sump pits, gaps around utility lines, and other openings.
Many Nebraska counties have a high or moderate potential for elevated radon. However, county maps cannot predict the level inside a particular property. Nebraska DHHS reports that elevated radon has been found in every county with available testing results, which is why all Nebraska homes should be tested.
2. Radon Levels Vary Widely
Radon levels can vary widely from one Nebraska home to another. Even if the neighbors on both sides of your home do not have higher-than-recommended levels, that does not mean your home will test the same way.
Every home should be tested to determine whether radon is present.
3. Testing Is Easy
A simple test can determine the level of radon in your home and whether mitigation may be needed.
While DIY test kits are available, working with an experienced radon company can help provide accurate testing, monitoring, and guidance. In Nebraska, homeowners may test the homes in which they live without a license. Testing performed on someone else’s property must generally be completed by a radon measurement business licensed by Nebraska DHHS.
4. Radon Testing is Recommended By The EPA and the US Surgeon General
If you are buying or selling a Nebraska home, it should be tested for radon. You should also test if your home has never been tested before.
Testing is also recommended after remodeling. Renovations can change airflow within a home and affect how radon enters or accumulates indoors.
The EPA recommends testing your home every two years, even if it has previously been tested or has a radon mitigation system. Homes can settle, foundations can shift or crack, and changes beneath the home may increase the potential for radon accumulation.
Radon exposure has a cumulative effect. The longer you are exposed, the greater the potential health risk.
5. Radon Tests Vary in Length Depending on Your Needs
Short-term tests typically take between two and seven days to complete and provide a snapshot of radon activity. These tests are often used for initial screenings and real estate transactions.
Long-term tests remain in place for three months to one year. They can provide a better average of radon exposure because they account for seasonal changes, temperature fluctuations, and differences in barometric pressure.
6. How Are Radon Tests Conducted?
Short-term testing may use a charcoal test kit or an electronic monitoring device. Depending on the test, the home may need to remain closed for at least 12 hours before testing begins and throughout the testing period, except for normal entry and exit.
Electronic testing conducted by a licensed technician can provide a quick turnaround, making it a practical option for Nebraska real estate transactions.
For long-term detection, contractors may use electronic monitoring instruments or alpha-track detectors to monitor radon levels over time.
7. Radon Testing Is Affordable
Radon testing is generally inexpensive, especially compared with the potential health risks of long-term exposure.
DIY testing kits are available online and through some hardware stores and laboratories. Professional testing can provide accurate results along with guidance on what to do if elevated radon is detected.
When you hire M.A.R.S. Environmental, you receive professional test results and recommendations for addressing any problems that are found.
8. There are Recommended Levels Indoor Radon Levels
Technically, there is no safe level of radon gas, according to the EPA. However, homes with high radon levels are at the highest risk.
Radon is measured in units of picocuries per liter (pCi/L) in the air. If the radon levels are at 4 pCi/L or higher, the EPA recommends you take steps to mitigate the radon in your home.
If the level is 4 pCI/L or higher
- Confirm the result with a follow-up test when appropriate.
- Contact a Nebraska-licensed radon professional to discuss mitigation.
- Retest after the system is installed to confirm that radon levels have decreased.
If the level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L:
- Consider installing a radon-reduction system.
- Test again to monitor the level and confirm that it has not risen above 4 pCi/L.
If the level is lower than 2 pCI/L
- Immediate action may not be necessary.
- Continue testing periodically, especially after remodeling or if you begin using the lowest level of your home as a bedroom, office, or recreation room.
9. Mitigation Might be Necessary
If elevated radon is detected, there are steps you can take to reduce it. M.A.R.S. Environmental can evaluate your home and recommend an appropriate solution.
Radon mitigation typically works by collecting gas beneath a concrete slab or membrane and safely venting it outside. A fan may be installed to draw radon out from beneath the home and release it above the roof or away from windows and other openings.
Most systems include a device that shows whether the system is working properly. Installation can often be completed within a day, although the timeframe varies depending on the home’s foundation, layout, and mitigation needs.
According to the EPA, some radon-reduction systems can reduce radon levels by as much as 99%. The home should be tested after installation to confirm that the system is working effectively.
10. Not All Testing & Mitigation Companies Are the Same
Not every contractor who advertises radon testing or mitigation is properly qualified to perform the work. Nebraska requires radon measurement and mitigation professionals serving the public to hold the appropriate state license.
Before hiring a provider, confirm that the business is licensed by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. You may also want to look for additional credentials, such as certification through the National Radon Proficiency Program.
At M.A.R.S. Environmental, safety is our top priority. We offer radon testing, monitoring, and mitigation services to help protect Nebraska homes and families.
For more information or to schedule radon testing for your Nebraska home, contact M.A.R.S. Environmental today.
