What is Radon

Radon is produced from the decay of naturally occuring uranium in earths soil. Radon is a radioactive hazardous case. When inhaled, it gives off radioactive particles that can damage the cells that line the lung. Radon seeps up from the earth and is colorless and has an undetectable smell to humans.​ Radon levels are measured in picocuries (pCi/L). ART or Radon offers multiple different testing processes which differ in duration, expense and level of analysis. We will help you decide which test is best for you and your budget.

Quick Facts:

• 2nd leading cause of lung cancer, with the 1st being smoking.
• Exposure to a combination of radon gas and cigarette smoke poses a higher risk than either factor alone.
• Linked to 21,000 deaths per year in the United States (compared to 3,000 deaths per year due to house fire).
• A measure of 4 pCi/L is equivalent to approximately 100 chest x-rays.
• Most hospitals typically limit people to 4 chest x-rays or 0.64 pCi/L.
• 1 pCi/L is equivalent to smoking 2.5 cigarettes per day. 
• Average Radon reading in Minnesota based on ~90,000 data points is 4.6 pCi/L. 
  • 52.9% of homes measured in Stearns County are greater than 4.0 pCi/L.
  • 80.1% of homes measured in Stearns County are greater than 2.0 pCi/L.

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Radon: The Invisible Killer (English)

Radon: The Invisible Killer (Alternative Languages)

• Radon: The Invisible Killer (Hmong)
• Radon: The Invisible Killer (Somali)
• Radon: The Invisible Killer (Spanish)

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Radon in Minnesota

High radon levels exist in every state in the US. In Minnesota, 2 out of every 5 homes has radon levels that pose a significant health risk. Nearly 80% of all Minnesota counties are rated as high radon zones. Statistic taken from Minnesota Department of Health (Link).
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Ways to Protect you and your family

1) Test your home (Call a Test and Mitigation Specialist Today!)
2) Reduce your exposure
     A) Spend less time in the high Radon areas
     B) Reduce the levels of Radon in your home
3) Protect your loved ones - tell your family and friends to test their homes

Ways Radon Enters Your Home

Radon can enter your home multiple different ways. Below are some of the more common pathways that are known for Radon to enter your home along with the driving mechanism (Pressure). Radon levels are typically higher in the winter months when the ground is frozen around your house and the furnace is running.

Pathways into your Home

​A) Cracks in concrete slabs
B) Spaces behind brick veneer walls that rest on uncapped hollow-block         foundations.
C) Pores and cracks in concrete blocks
D) Floor-wall joints
E) Exposed soil, as in sump or crawl space
F) Weeping (drain) tile, if drained to an open sump
G) Mortar joints
H) Loose fitting pipe penetrations
I) Open tops of block walls
J) Building materials: brick, concrete, rock
K) Well water (not commonly a major source in Minnesota)

Air Pressure in your Home

Minnesota homes typically operate under a negative air pressure, especially during the heating season. This means that the air pressure inside your home is lower than the surrounding air and soil. This negative pressure pulls the soil gases, such as radon into your home through the various pathways. 

Stack Effect: Warm air rises which pulls air up from lower levels causing gases to seep from the soil.

Down Wind Effect: As winds blow past your home they create a vacuum effect causing gases to seep from the soil.

Vacuum Effect: Combustion appliances like furnaces, hot waters, fireplaces, bathroom exhaust fans, vents, etc. will remove significant amounts of air from your home. As the air is exhausted and burned during combustion it will pull air from the outside and also cause gases to seep from the soil.