RADON: THE GOOD NEWS

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in the soil. Radon enters homes through cracks and other openings in the foundation. The more radon you are exposed to and the longer the exposure, the greater your risk of lung cancer will be.

The DEP and the EPA recommend taking action to mitigate your home if your test indicates a level of 4 pCi/L or higher of radon. There is no truly “safe” level of radon. The risk decreases as the radon decreases, so the lower you can get your radon, the better off you will be.

The good news is that high levels of radon in a home are easily fixed by installing a mitigation system. A typical system involves a pipe installed that runs from below the basement flooring to above the roofline, with a fan at the top that draws radon out from under the slab. Cracks and openings in the foundation are sealed. The radon is vented through the pipe to the outside, where it is quickly diluted. The average price for such a system is approximately $1,300. You can install the system yourself or hire a New Jersey certified radon mitigation company. For more information or a list of certified radon mitigation businesses, go to www.njradon.org or call (609) 984-5425.