Radon Facts
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium found in soil, rock, and water. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless — you cannot detect it without testing.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for approximately 21,000 deaths each year according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Smokers exposed to radon face an even higher risk.
Radon enters homes through cracks in floors, walls, and foundations, and through construction joints, gaps around service pipes, and cavities inside walls. Any home can have a radon problem — new or old, well-sealed or drafty, with or without a basement.
The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon in homes where the radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose some risk, and in many cases may be reduced.
The only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels is to test. Testing is easy and inexpensive. Alpha Radon KC provides professional radon measurement services for homeowners in Kansas and Missouri.
If elevated radon is found, it can be fixed. A radon mitigation system (sub-slab depressurization) is the most common and effective method. Alpha Radon KC designs and installs radon mitigation systems with optimal placement, both inside and outside your home.