Based on pan-European radon studies, the World Health Organization reports that smokers have at least a 20 times greater risk of cancer from radon and its daughter products than non-smokers. The implication that radon, which we all breath, is as great a risk as smoking for lung cancer is misleading IMO. About half of the annual 300 radiation millirems that we all receive from natural sources and medical exams is from radon.

Each home in a neighborhood can be different. TEST during the winter when there are no open windows. Simply buy a box, leave it in the lowest level for a few weeks and mail it in.

Hennepin County is offering discounted (half price) radon test kits to residents at this time. The discounted price is $9.00 per test kit and information is available on the Hennepin County website. Go to the website and type "radon" into the search box and the specific web page will be provided in the results.

Sure, I guess you can do what you want. Don't test, its a free country. But along with that, and along with smokers that choose to continue to smoke make sure you have plenty of money saved up and or good insurance. I don't want to pay for you care, long term care, surgery or otherwise. There are other advantages to installing a radon removal system. One is they will just plain help remove some of the moisture concentration you may have in the air in your lower level. And no, I am not in the business, just somewhat educated on the subject.

Radon in homes was a hot topic 20 years ago, same kind of articles written. Why did the awareness of it die out only to resurface again now?

well, if you discover a high level of radon, your home is worthless and you have nothing.

Perhaps this is a test all home inspectors can do? It is their job to know what to look for, and they are a much smaller group to educate.

So, since it was utterly ignored in the article, what exactly does a $1300 "mitigation system" consist of? Do they "seal" the basement, or do they just put some sort of glorified exhaust fan in?

We installed a remediation system for about $1,800 after measuring 6-7 pCi/L in our finished basement and 5 pCi/L in our main living area. The additional electric to run the fan that pulls air from under our basement slab through the roof vent is $5 per month so well worth the cost to reduce this risk. Our current measurement is about .5-.9 pCi/L must less than even outdoor air. Radon occurs naturally via the breakdown of radium in our soils. As the gas itself breaks down it produces particles that damage the DNA of lung cells. Risk = exposure duration x level of radon. And yes radon-exposed smokers contract lung cancer at a higher rate because their overall lung damage is compounded ie tobacco + radon = more damage. I view our remediation system as an asset not a liability per bill9844's comment above. One last thing, we bought a SafetySiren Radon Gas Detector that plugs into the wall via Amazon.com and highly recommend this if your initial radon measurements are above the EPA recommended max of 4 pCi/L. Good luck!

johnbaranick: Sure like all home repair work. It takes only a few minutes like on tv and if your lucky you can buy a can of magic spray for the issue whether it be radon or a leaky roof that will make it all go away. And if your really really lucky the $2 can of magic will have a $2 rebate.. There is material cost which could very well run about $200.00 to $400.00 plus range depending on the type of fan, if you want a test kit and test done, and the configuration and distance out of your basement and up to the roof. Time for pick up of the material, time to get through the concrete to access the ground underneath the concrete if this is the method you choose, time to assemble the components and make sure you have a proper electric supply, time to unload and set up a ladder, get on the roof and provide the hole for the piping, time to properly flash the piping on the roof, oh wait, if it leaks this is where the magic spray comes in handy AGAIN, time to access the attic if the run in the garage if this is the path of the piping, time to take the ladder and roof access equipment down, time to make sure everything works, time to load everything back into your vehicle and then time to get back to the shop which most probably don't charge for. Time to come back and retest if the homeowner doesn't want to do it. And usually this is a two man procedure to get it done in a day. Not to mention the tools you need which normally aren't free. either. Oh, wait, the gas is a priviledge we have in this country to enrich the oil companies and speculators, forget that one,.But then again, just watch a little more remodelers fantasy world on tv and it could all be done in about 15 minutes. And the installers assistant is probably better looking than in the real world.