More Testing Homes For Dangerous Radon

Second-hand smoke is often linked to lung cancer.  But across the country, more cases and deaths are tied to having elevated levels of radon gas in homes.

"Radon is a component of indoor air quality and over the last few years, it is more prevalent.  People are looking into it more and getting their homes checked," Mike Austad of Dakota Radon Mitigation said.

Austad says getting your home tested will cost between $40 and $125.  Most tests are done while a house is for sale.

"I've heard the number that eight out of ten or nine out of ten homes in our area have radon levels that are above what the E.P.A. recommends," Lee Johnson of HJN Team said.

In that case, someone such as Austad, and a professional electrician can install a mitigation system in the home to remove the dangerous gas.

What the mitigation system will do is pull the radon from underneath the home and then send it out into the atmosphere.

"After the work, the follow up should include a re-test to gauge the performance of a mitigation installation to make sure the system works and the home is safe," Austad said.

But first, you have to know the gas is present.  That's why experts now suggest you don't wait until the house is on the market to get it checked.

"It's good to know, if nothing else, to confirm that everything is right.  It is a good idea to have it tested and then you have one less thing to worry about," Johnson said.

A professional mitigation system will cost you around $1,000.  January is national radon action month, an effort by the EPA to raise awareness about the odorless danger.