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2026 Radon Awareness and Safety Guide

What is Radon?

 

Radon is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless radioactive gas caused by the decay of uranium in soil. Exposure to radon can damage lung tissue and increase your risk of lung cancer. If you smoke and live in a home with high radon levels, you are 10x more likely to develop lung cancer from radon than a non-smoker. In fact, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year.

Radon gas comes up through the soil and can enter homes through cracks in building foundations. As such, you are more likely to be exposed to radon if you live in a basement or lower level of a home or building. The EPA recommends that anyone living below the third floor of a home or building test for radon every two years.

The amount of radon in the air is measured by picoCuries per liter of air, or pCi/L. Radon reduction, or mitigation, is recommended when radon levels are higher than the US EPA Radon Action Level of 4.0pCi/L. Long-term exposure to radon at or above this level greatly increases risk of lung cancer.

 

Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the United States is estimated to have an elevated radon level (4pCi/L). According to the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, over 40% of the homes in Illinois and nearly 30% of the homes in Cook County that were tested by professionals had radon levels higher than recommended by the US EPA.

 

 

Radon levels are higher during colder months because windows and doors are closed to keep out the cold. Heating your home can also create increased air pressure, which can pull more radon from the ground into your home.

 

Renter’s Guide to Radon

Before you sign your lease, the landlord or building owner is required to tell you in writing if they are aware of high levels of radon on the property.

Ask your landlord if they have tested for radon and/or taken measures to reduce radon levels in your building. If so, ask for the test results and proof of mitigation by a licensed contractor.

If the building has not been tested, you can ask your landlord to contact a licensed radon contractor to conduct a test. You can also test for radon with a do-it-yourself kit available at most hardware stores.

If you live in an apartment building, you may want to share the results of your test with other tenants, so they can also test their units and encourage the landlord to take action.

If the landlord does not take action, you may want to contact your state radon office or a legal assistance organization.

Homebuyer’s Guide to Radon

If you are considering buying a home, the EPA recommends that you have it tested for radon. Because radon levels vary from home to home, it is critical to measure the radon level in a potential home and not rely on other test results in the neighborhood.

Sellers are required to disclose to buyers if a test revealed the home has high levels of radon. If you do plan to accept the seller’s test results, be sure to ask:

  • Where the test was done
  • Who conducted it
  • If any structural changes have been made to the home following the test.

You may choose to conduct a radon test as part of the inspection process to determine whether radon mitigation is needed. Ensure the test is done in the lowest level of the home that you will use regularly, including a basement level. If high levels of radon are found, you may ask the seller to install a radon mitigation system before you close on the home. To find a list of qualified radon service providers, contact your state radon program.

If mitigation is necessary, discuss with the seller the timing and who will cover the costs of radon reduction. Be sure to discuss with your real estate team and lawyer to ensure this is included in the home-buying contract. The cost of mitigation may depend on the age and size of the home. You can get an estimate on mitigation systems from any qualified mitigator.

Building owners should always use a licensed radon contractor. Contact your state radon office for a list of licensed professionals. Maintain documentation of any repairs or mitigation to share with current and future tenants.