What to Do If Your Radon Test Comes Back High

Receiving a high radon test result can be unsettling, especially because radon is invisible and unfamiliar to many homeowners. The initial reaction is often uncertainty rather than clarity. Is the result accurate. Is the risk immediate. Does this mean the home is unsafe to occupy.

A high radon reading does not represent an emergency situation, but it does indicate a long term health risk that should be addressed systematically. Radon related health effects occur over extended exposure periods, which allows time for confirmation, evaluation, and mitigation without urgency driven by fear.

Understanding how to respond appropriately is key to reducing risk while avoiding unnecessary stress or incorrect decisions.

Step One: Understand What the Result Means

Radon test results are reported in picocuries per liter, which reflects the concentration of radioactive decay occurring in indoor air. In the United States, health agencies recommend taking action when radon levels are at or above four picocuries per liter.

This threshold is not a sharp boundary between safe and dangerous. Rather, it represents a level at which long term lung cancer risk increases enough to warrant mitigation. Risk increases gradually with concentration and duration of exposure.

A result above four does not mean immediate harm. It indicates that, if exposure continues over many years, the probability of adverse health effects increases.

Step Two: Confirm the Measurement

Before making mitigation decisions, confirmation is often recommended unless the initial reading is significantly elevated. Because radon levels fluctuate naturally due to weather, pressure, and building dynamics, a single measurement may not represent average exposure.

Confirmation can be done using a follow up short term test or preferably a long term test that averages radon levels over several months. Long term testing provides a more reliable assessment of chronic exposure and helps guide mitigation decisions.

Using a properly placed at home radon test kit, such as the Detekt Home radon test, allows homeowners to repeat measurements under controlled conditions and build confidence in the data.

Confirmation testing should occur in the same location and under appropriate closed house conditions when applicable.

Step Three: Evaluate Occupancy and Exposure Patterns

Risk assessment is influenced by how the home is used. A high radon level in a rarely occupied basement storage area carries a different exposure profile than the same level in a bedroom or living space.

The most important factor is time spent in the tested area. Bedrooms, family rooms, and frequently used lower level spaces should be prioritized when interpreting results.

For homes with children, elderly occupants, or long term residency plans, even moderately elevated radon levels deserve attention due to cumulative exposure risk.

Step Four: Avoid Common Overreactions

A high radon result often triggers unnecessary immediate actions such as vacating the home, opening windows permanently, or attempting unverified remedies.

Opening windows may temporarily reduce radon levels, but it is not a reliable or sustainable solution. Radon infiltration is driven by pressure differentials, not simply lack of ventilation.

Sealing cracks alone is rarely sufficient and may even worsen pressure driven entry if not part of a comprehensive mitigation approach.

Air purifiers, ozone generators, and dehumidifiers do not remove radon gas and should not be relied upon for radon reduction.

Step Five: Consider Professional Mitigation

Radon mitigation is a well established field with standardized methods. The most common and effective technique for residential radon reduction is active soil depressurization.

This system works by creating a controlled pressure zone beneath the home that prevents radon from entering living spaces. A vent pipe and fan draw radon gas from beneath the foundation and exhaust it safely outdoors above the roofline.

Properly designed mitigation systems can reduce radon levels by up to ninety nine percent. They operate continuously and are designed for long term reliability.

Mitigation should be performed by trained professionals who understand building science and local conditions. Improper installation can reduce effectiveness or create unintended airflow issues.

Step Six: Retest After Mitigation

Post mitigation testing is essential. No mitigation system should be considered effective without verification.

Testing should be conducted after the system has been operating for a sufficient period to stabilize indoor conditions. Long term testing is often recommended to confirm sustained reduction.

Continued periodic testing ensures that systems remain functional and that changes to the home do not alter radon behavior.

Step Seven: Plan for Long Term Monitoring

Radon levels can change over time due to foundation settling, renovations, HVAC changes, or alterations to drainage and landscaping. A home that tests low after mitigation should still be monitored periodically.

Retesting every two to five years is generally recommended, as well as after major structural or mechanical changes.

Long term awareness and monitoring are part of maintaining a healthy indoor environment rather than a one time event.

Psychological Considerations and Risk Communication

Radon is often perceived as more frightening than other environmental risks because it is invisible and associated with cancer. This perception can distort decision making.

From a medical and public health standpoint, radon mitigation is preventive care rather than crisis response. Addressing elevated radon reduces future risk without implying current illness or imminent danger.

Clear understanding helps families respond rationally and effectively.

Radon and Real Estate Transactions

High radon results frequently arise during real estate transactions. This can create urgency and anxiety due to time constraints.

In these situations, short term confirmation testing followed by mitigation planning is common practice. Radon mitigation is a routine home improvement and does not indicate structural defects or unusual conditions.

Many mitigation systems can be installed quickly and cost effectively, making radon a manageable issue rather than a deal breaking one.

The Broader Context of Prevention

Radon is one of the few environmental cancer risks that can be identified and reduced before disease develops. This places it in a category of preventable exposures alongside smoking cessation and occupational hazard control.

The absence of symptoms makes proactive testing essential. Responding appropriately to a high result closes the gap between detection and prevention.

Conclusion

A high radon test result is not a cause for panic, but it is a signal to act thoughtfully and deliberately. Confirming results, understanding exposure patterns, and implementing proven mitigation strategies can significantly reduce long term health risk.

Radon related disease develops over years, which provides time to respond effectively. With evidence based mitigation and ongoing monitoring, families can address elevated radon confidently and maintain a safer indoor environment over the long term.

By A. Anagnos, Biomedical Engineering Specilialist