How Do I Know If My Home Has High Radon?

If you’re asking this question, you’re already ahead of most homeowners.

As an Illinois licensed radon measurement professional (RNM2015202), I’ve been performing radon testing since 2015 in residential, commercial, daycare, and multi-family buildings. Over the years, one thing has become clear: you cannot identify elevated radon levels just by looking at a home. You have to test.

The biggest misconception about radon

One of the most common misunderstandings I hear is that radon “doesn’t apply” to certain homes or locations.

Homeowners often believe:

• New construction homes are safe

• City homes (including Chicago and surrounding suburbs) don’t have radon

• Slab-on-grade homes are exempt

• A basement that isn’t used doesn’t matter

• Health or fitness can offset exposure risk

• If a neighbor has low radon, nearby homes must be low too

After thousands of tests, I can say confidently: none of these assumptions reliably predict radon levels.