Radon is naturally released from the ground and becomes a concern when it accumulates indoors. Enclosed spaces such as homes, offices, and community buildings can trap radon, allowing concentrations to rise over time in the air people breathe.

Radon levels are influenced by soil composition, building design, ventilation, foundation type, and air pressure differences. Even similar buildings located near one another can have very different radon levels.

Radon exposure is a long-term concern. Health risks increase with repeated exposure over months or years rather than from a single short-term exposure.

Radon does not irritate the lungs or cause noticeable short-term effects. Damage occurs gradually at the cellular level, which is why testing is critical even when no symptoms are present.

Radon levels are affected by temperature, air pressure, ventilation, and building use. These variables can cause readings to rise or fall over short periods of time.

Reliable radon testing accounts for building size, layout, and airflow, and measures radon continuously over multiple days using calibrated equipment rather than a single snapshot.

Professional testing reduces the impact of daily fluctuations and provides a clearer picture of average exposure, which is more meaningful for health-related decisions.

Children and pets may be more vulnerable because they breathe faster relative to body size and often spend more time indoors or closer to ground-level spaces where radon concentrations may be higher.

A radon test reflects the average concentration of radon in the tested area during the monitoring period. It helps estimate long-term exposure rather than predicting immediate health outcomes.

Testing is recommended whenever people spend significant time indoors, regardless of building age or type. Living or working in a lower-level space, having a private well, or residing in a region with known radon potential increases the value of testing.

Radon levels can change over time due to soil shifts, weather patterns, renovations, or ventilation changes. A previous low result does not guarantee future levels will remain the same.

Construction activity can alter airflow, create new entry points, or disturb soil beneath a structure, which may increase radon entry even if levels were previously low.

When radon is inhaled, radioactive particles can damage lung tissue over time. This damage increases the likelihood of lung cancer, especially with prolonged exposure to elevated levels.

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among people who have never smoked. Because non-smokers often lack other risk factors, radon exposure plays a more significant role.

Testing identifies elevated radon levels before health effects occur. When radon is detected early, exposure can often be reduced, lowering the risk of developing radon-related disease later in life.

Children and pets may be more vulnerable because they breathe faster relative to body size and often spend more time indoors or closer to ground-level spaces where radon concentrations may be higher.