Radon: Protecting Your Home and Health

January is national Radon awareness month. Let's give it a little attention right now. Here are some things you might want to know in our area.

Understanding Radon

Radon is a silent threat that can infiltrate your home without warning. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that naturally occurs in soil and rock. When radon seeps into buildings, including homes, schools, and workplaces, it poses serious health risks. In fact, radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America. Approximately 21,000 Americans lose their lives each year due to radon-related lung cancer.

What is our Risk in Frederick County?

This map from the EPA denotes Maryland’s three zones of risk. Radon is measured in pick/L (picocuries per liter). The definitions of the zones are as follows:

Zone 1 (red zones) Highest potential - average indoor radon levels may be greater than 4 pCi/L.

Zone 2 (orange zones) Moderate potential - average indoor radon levels may be between 2 and 4 pCi/L .

Zone 3 (yellow zones) Low potential - average indoor radon levels may be less than 2 pCi/L.

As you can see, Frederick and surrounding counties are in a zone with the highest potential of Radon gas infiltrating our homes. In the Real Estate world, if a Radon inspection detects indoor radon levels greater than 4 pCi/L, it is highly recommended the home be remediated. In addition, with a few exceptions, in Montgomery County the home is required to be tested before closing the sale. The seller or the buyer may do the test, but it must be done.

The Montgomery County Government has a Website where you can get more specific information and citizens of Montgomery County can buy a test kit for $3. Otherwise contact a nearby home improvement store or Amazon to purchase a radon test kit. For best results look for tests that are approved by the EPA, 

If you want to have a professional test and/or remediate your home, I recommend  Roberts Radon, LLC. Phone: 301-750-2695 Email: office@robertsradon.com. I find Roberts to be very competent; I trusted them with our home.

Finally, if you own a rental unit in Montgomery County, Radon Bill 26-22 passed and became effective on July 1, 2023. This legislation mandates radon testing and, if necessary, mitigation, in both single- and multi-family rental units.

For more information about Radon, you might try the EPA’s website on Radon or Maryland’s Department of Health.

As always, I am here to help with any questions you might have about buying or selling your home. Feel free to call me at 301-873-2106

Bob