Does Radon Affect Newer Homes?

One of the most persistent myths about radon is that it is an old house problem. People associate radon with basements, cracks, and aging foundations. New homes feel sealed, efficient, and safe.

Unfortunately, radon does not care how new a home is.

In fact, some newer homes test higher than older ones.

New homes are built to modern codes. They use improved materials, tighter construction, and energy efficient designs. That creates an assumption that they are better protected from environmental issues. 

Airtight Construction Can Increase Radon

Modern homes are designed to reduce air exchange. This improves energy efficiency but also means that gases entering the home have fewer ways to escape. Radon enters through the foundation. If the home is tightly sealed above, radon can accumulate instead of dissipating. In older homes, natural air leakage sometimes diluted radon unintentionally. Newer homes often lack that dilution.

Heating and cooling systems can create pressure differences that draw radon inside. Bathroom fans, kitchen exhausts, and clothes dryers all remove indoor air. That air has to be replaced, and it is often pulled from beneath the home.

This effect does not depend on age. In some cases, it is stronger in newer homes because the structure is tighter.

New Materials Do Not Block Radon

Concrete, insulation, and vapor barriers do not stop radon completely. Radon moves through microscopic openings and joints. Unless a home is specifically built with radon resistant features, entry is still possible.

Even homes with radon resistant construction should be tested. These features reduce risk but do not guarantee low levels.

New homeowners are less likely to test because they assume safety. This delays detection and extends exposure unnecessarily. Testing is quick and non invasive. Using a screening tool like the Detekt Home radon test allows homeowners to confirm assumptions instead of relying on them.

Home age does not predict radon risk. Newer homes can and do test high for radon. Airtight construction and modern HVAC systems can actually increase accumulation. Testing is the only way to know.

By Chris M., PhD