Can high levels of radon be mitigated?
Matthew Perez
Updated on March 22, 2026
Can high levels of radon be mitigated?
If you find that you have high radon levels, there are ways to fix a radon problem. Even very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels. EPA recommends that you test your home before putting it on the market and, if necessary, lower your radon levels.
What level of radon requires mitigation?
Recommended timeframes for taking action to reduce radon levels: Between 200-600 Bq/m3 fix your home within two years. Above 600 Bq/m3 fix your home within one year.
What happens if radon levels are high?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking. If you smoke and live in a home with high radon levels, you increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Having your home tested is the only effective way to determine whether you and your family are at risk of high radon exposure.
Is it safe to buy a house with high radon levels?
The EPA states, “Radon is a health hazard with a simple solution.” Once radon reduction measures are in place, home buyers need not worry about the quality of the air in the home. Since removing radon is relatively simple, your family will be safe in a home with a radon reduction system in place.
Should I walk away from a house with radon?
If a potential buyer conducts a radon test and those levels come back high, the buyer has the right to walk away from the sale (nearly all do) and you’ll be obligated to disclose the radon to future buyers, reducing your appeal.
Does finishing basement reduce radon levels?
Radon levels are above recommended EPA levels. Radon levels must be reduced even if you are not finishing your basement. Because it comes from the ground, radon levels are usually highest in basements.
What are acceptable levels of radon in a house?
According to Health Canada, the acceptable level of radon in the average home is 200 becquerels per cubic metre (200 Bq/m³), while the World Health Organization sets the acceptable level at 100 becquerels per cubic metre (100 Bq/m³).
How do you fix high radon levels?
In some cases, radon levels can be lowered by ventilating the crawlspace passively, or actively, with the use of a fan. Crawlspace ventilation may lower indoor radon levels both by reducing the home’s suction on the soil and by diluting the radon beneath the home.
Is it hard to sell a house with radon mitigation?
Fortunately, it’s not hard to sell a house with radon, provided that you alert potential buyers and mitigate the problem, say Brian Thomas, a top real estate agent in the Denver, Colorado area, with 16 years of experience. “For as much fear and uncertainty as radon causes, there’s an easy fix.”
Is radon a deal breaker?
You can’t see it, smell it, or taste it, but radon gas is a leading cause of lung cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. However, the presence of radon in your home doesn’t have to be a deal breaker.
How long do you have to wait to retest for radon after mitigation?
After the radon mitigation system is installed, order another radon test for your home. Depending on the type of system, you’ll want to wait at least 24 hours for radon levels to be lowered. The retest should be done within 30 days of the installation.
How do you fix a high radon level?