Radon and Carbon Monoxide

Understanding how radon and carbon monoxide enter a home environment is an essential step in keeping your family safe.

Radon and carbon monoxide are both odorless and tasteless gasses that are harmful when inhaled. They get into the home in different ways.

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Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, and radioactive gas that is produced when uranium in rock and soil decays. A house can draw radon in like a vacuum, through gaps and cracks in the foundation and other openings. If the air is trapped inside the home, radon may build up. Radon may be found in all homes: old and new, drafty and well-sealed, and homes with or without basements. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year.

You may perform your own test for radon, but hiring a professional is recommended 

Carbon monoxide (CO) like radon, is a poisonous gas that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. It is found in fumes when fuel is burned in vehicles, stoves, fireplaces, gas ranges, or furnaces. At high levels, it can be fatal when inhaled. Symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those of the flu and allergies. Carbon monoxide poisoning may also be misdiagnosed as a headache, stroke, food poisoning, or heart disease. All homes should have a working carbon monoxide detector and smoke alarm that is placed where it will wake you up if you are sleeping when it goes off.  At a minimum, industry experts recommend a CO alarm be installed on each level of the home — ideally on any level with fuel-burning appliances and outside of sleeping areas.