Keeping your family safe at home means protecting yourself and your family against dangers you can see and ones you cannot. One hidden risk many families may not think about is radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. You cannot see it, smell it, or taste it, but it can build up inside homes and become dangerous over time. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among non-smokers.
Radon can enter homes through small cracks in foundations, gaps around pipes, crawl spaces, and basements. Any home can have elevated radon levels, whether it is old or new. The only way to know your family’s risk level is by testing the air in your home. Families can learn more about how radon works, where it comes from, and why testing matters by visiting the official Tennessee Radon Program information page.
Tennessee families can request a free radon kit through the statewide program. These at-home test kits are easy to use and include simple instructions for collecting an air sample and mailing it in for results.
If a test shows elevated radon levels, families can take steps to reduce exposure. These steps often include improving ventilation or working with certified professionals who specialize in radon reduction. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. Since there is no known safe level of radon exposure to radon, the EPA also recommends that residents consider fixing their home for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation suggests using certified radon professionals to safely reduce radon levels and protect your family's health.
Radon testing can be free, simple, and offer invaluable security. By investing a small amount of time to test your home, you are proactively protecting the long-term health of your family and everyone under your roof.