Encouraging Advice from the Surgeon General About Radon in Tahoe Homes

This cute little cartoon house is worried sick about the Radon waving up from around its foundation. This is a not-too-scary presentation of the seriousness of Radon, the radioactive gas that has been found in homes all over the United States and beyond.

The Radon Safety Mantra is "Test Test Test"

The Surgeon General of the United States says, "Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from Radon," according to the EPA Guide. This advice is especially important in the Lake Tahoe region, where our granite-rich mountains naturally release Radon into the soil. Because many Tahoe homes are built on slopes, over crawlspaces, or on foundations that vary from room to room, Radon levels can differ widely even within the same structure.

The Surgeon General recommends testing below the third floor of any building. We are not sure why the recommendation focuses on lower floors, because Radon can be pulled upward through a home due to the "stack effect," where warm indoor air rises and draws soil gases upward through cracks, seams, and utility openings. While basements often show the highest Radon levels, Tahoe homes do not always follow that pattern. Many homes here do not have basements at all, and some have living spaces built over garages, piers, or uneven terrain. Each home is unique, and Radon levels can vary dramatically from one room to another.

"You cannot predict Radon levels based on state, local, and neighborhood Radon measurements. Do not rely on Radon test results taken in other homes in the neighborhood to estimate the Radon level in your home. Homes which are next to each other can have different indoor Radon levels. Testing is the only way to find out what your home's Radon level is."

The Health Threat is Completely Preventable

The U.S. Surgeon General Health Advisory also includes a reassuring message: the health threat from Radon "is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques." This statement dates back to January 2005, and it remains just as true today. Radon testing is inexpensive, and mitigation systems are proven, reliable, and effective when installed correctly.

For Lake Tahoe homeowners, this is especially good news. Whether your home sits on granite boulders, compacted fill, sandy soil, or a hillside foundation, Radon can be managed. Testing gives you the information you need, and mitigation systems can be tailored to the unique construction styles found throughout the Tahoe Basin.

Continue Learning in Our Radon at Tahoe Series

This page is part of our Radon at Tahoe series, created to help you understand Radon risks and what you can do to reduce them. Radon is a concern not only at Lake Tahoe but in many regions across the country. For more information about Radon and how to protect your home, continue reading our Radon at Tahoe series. These pages are provided to help you live more healthfully at Lake Tahoe and beyond. On each page, you can view more by clicking on one of the navigation links below. On the next page we explore To-Dos for Radon Testing for Tahoe Home Sellers.

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