West Egg Inspections
and Home Services LLC
What is radon gas? Is it dangerous?
What is radon gas? Is it dangerous?
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.
Radon gas is inert, colorless and odorless. Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue.
Most radon exposure occurs inside homes, schools and workplaces. Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Indoor radon can be controlled and managed with proven, cost-effective techniques.​
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.
Radon gas is inert, colorless and odorless. Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue.
Most radon exposure occurs inside homes, schools and workplaces. Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Indoor radon can be controlled and managed with proven, cost-effective techniques.​
Breathing radon over time increases your risk of lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. Nationally, the EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.
You can take steps to reduce and control the amount of radon in your home. Testing is the only way to determine radon levels. Have your home tested by West Egg Inspections and Home Services LLC. EPA guidance suggests mitigating if levels are at or above 148 Becquerels/meter3 (4 picocuries/liter). Usually, radon problems are fixed using an underground ventilation system or by increasing the rate of air changes in the building.
Using the best technology available, we provide on-site continuous radon testing with registered and calibrated devices to ensure the most accurate counts possible. This includes a graphical report showing hour-by-hour variations in radon levels. The report is emailed the same day the 48 hour test finishes. We are a Certified Radon Measurement Provider, having attained that certification through the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) so you can be assured that you are getting an expert evaluation of the test results.
EPA Map of Radon Zones
The purpose of this map is to assist national, state and local organizations to target their resources and to implement radon-resistant building codes.
The Map of Radon Zones was developed in 1993 to identify areas of the U.S. with the potential for elevated indoor radon levels. The map is intended to help governments and other organizations target risk reduction activities and resources. The Map of Radon Zones should not be used to determine if individual homes need to be tested. No matter where you live, test your home for radon—it’s easy and inexpensive. Fix your home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Consider fixing if your level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
EPA Map of Radon Zones by US County (pdf)
Why You Should Test For Radon?
Testing is the only way to find out your home’s radon levels. If you’re selling a home we recommend that you test your home for radon before putting it on the market. Knowing your radon levels and adjusting accordingly will be a positive selling point.
​If you are buying a home you should ask the seller for their radon test results. If the home has a radon-reduction system, ask the seller for information they have about the system. If the home has not yet been tested, you should have the house radon tested as soon as possible.
As the map on the right shows, radon in Minneapolis, St. Paul and the surrounding counties are higher than the average level. The effects of radon to the lungs of you and your loved ones can be harmful and long term exposure can cause serious illnesses. If your home is located in Minnesota, we highly recommend getting your home tested for radon at least once per two years.
Minnesota requires a license to test for radon.
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