Find top rated radon gas testers in your area

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. The gas seeps through cracks in foundations and collects in basements and other low areas. Once you breathe it in, radioactive particles lodge in lung tissue and do long-term damage. Because you can’t see or smell radon, the EPA recommends testing your home every two years—and after major renovations—to keep your family safe.

Yes—every home should be tested. The EPA advises doing it at least every two years and any time you remodel, buy, or sell. On average, one in 15 houses nationwide sits above the recommended limit, and the only way to know where yours stands is a formal test. The equipment simply measures gas levels and won’t change your indoor environment, so the process is completely harmless.

Certified radon professionals—often home inspectors or dedicated radon mitigation contractors—handle testing. These radon testing professionals follow EPA protocols and use calibrated instruments to check levels throughout your house. Hiring a certified radon specialist means results you can trust for real estate deals, insurance requirements, and, most importantly, your family’s health.

Inspectors specialize in measuring radon gas levels, while licensed mitigation contractors design and install the systems that remove it. If your test comes back high, your inspector can point you to a qualified mitigation pro who will size and install the right fan, piping, or other equipment to bring levels down.

No—standard home air purifiers don’t touch radon. They’re built to trap dust and pollen, not radioactive gas. If testing shows high levels, you’ll need a dedicated mitigation system that vents the gas from beneath your home to the outdoors. Relying on a room purifier alone won’t keep your indoor air safe.

Opening a few windows in your home might dilute radon for a short time, but the gas seeps back in as soon as they’re closed. For a lasting fix, you’ll need a professional mitigation system—often a sub-slab depressurization fan—that pulls radon from beneath the foundation and safely vents it outside.