The Summer Could Be the Season With the Highest Levels of Radon in the Home

Many homeowners may not be aware that radon levels in their homes can be as much as 10 times higher in the summer as compared to the winter, when the majority of testing for the gas tends to be done. Experts in radon gas say the high variations among seasons is cause for concern about when exactly radon testing should be done in homes and buildings.

Many believe that radon gas levels are often seen as higher during the winter months is because that’s when doors and windows tend to be kept shut all season long, lowering overall ventilation that would otherwise be able to inhibit the accumulation of the gas.

However, in the summer, many homes — especially those with air conditioning — are sealed up just as much as in the winter to keep the hot air out. If that’s the case, radon levels could be even higher compared to the winter.

It is estimated that radon is responsible for the deaths of 5,000 to 20,000 people per year from lung cancer in the U.S.

It is recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that homeowners test their properties for radon both in the winter and summer, just in case.

Indoor radon levels more than four picocuries is considered dangerous, according to the EPA. The correlation between soil and indoor levels isn’t precise. It’s possible that seasonal variations might be caused by the dryness of the soil throughout the summer, thereby allowing the gas to travel more easily.

One thing is for certain: Regular testing should be done to ensure radon levels aren’t dangerously high. And if radon is indeed discovered, it needs to be effectively and thoroughly mitigated by experts in the field.