Why You Should Care About Radon

Any home can have a radon gas problem. What exactly is radon gas? Well, you can’t see, smell or taste it. It comes from the breakdown of naturally occurring uranium or radium. It seeps into your house through cracks and holes in the foundation, construction joints and plumbing fixtures. It can even come in with your water supply and be released into the air while you shower or bathe. It is usually not a problem with public water systems, but it has been found in private wells in areas with rocks that contain the uranium or radium.

You can test for the presence of radon quite easily by obtaining a free test kit from SC Radon Hotline or by writing to SC DHEC. A short term test can take as little as 2 days with lab results in 2 weeks. Long term tests can stay in place for more than 90 days.

If your test shows that you have radon gas in your home, there are ways to reduce the levels. Unfortunately, the cost can range from $800 and up. For more information, call the radon hotline at 1-800-768-0362.