When building or buying a new house, you want to ensure that every detail contributes to safety, longevity and value. The vision is already there — your happy family living a long life in your new residence and potential returns once you sell it and move on to something bigger. However, what if your dream home harbors a hidden danger right beneath your feet?

One often-overlooked hazard that can affect your home’s air quality and your family’s health is radon. It’s a naturally occurring radioactive gas that seeps from the soil undetected. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and is overall the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. The worst part is that you won’t see, smell or taste it. The only way to know if your house is safe is to test for radon in new construction.

What Is Radon and Why Is It a Concern in New Homes?

Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas that forms from the natural decay of uranium in soil, rock and groundwater. While it exists in trace amounts outdoors, it becomes dangerous when trapped inside buildings.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that one in 15 homes has dangerously high radon levels. Many assume that new houses are safer from radon exposure than older structures, but this isn’t necessarily true. In fact, new construction homes may be even more vulnerable due to:

• Energy-efficient sealing: While modern airtight designs help with energy efficiency, they also trap radon gas inside the home.
• Foundation design: Cracks, construction joints, sump pumps and floor drains can become entry points for radon.
• Gravel layers and soil conditions: Many new homes are built in areas with high radon-producing soil due to uranium-rich land.

According to the EPA’s Radon Zone Maps, states like Colorado, Iowa, North Dakota and Pennsylvania are among the states with the highest radon concentrations in the country. Prolonged exposure to high levels increases the risk of respiratory cancer. Radon is responsible for 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. every year. Even if you’re outside these regions, any home can have radon, making testing essential.

How Can Homeowners Protect Against Radon in New Builds?

Preventive measures are necessary to safeguard your home and health. Here’s how you can protect against radon exposure from the very start.

1. Conduct Radon Testing Before Moving In

Do you need a radon test for new construction? Absolutely. Testing is the only way to determine radon levels in your home. Even if your builder claims to utilize radon-resistant features, testing is still essential. A short-term test measures radon for two to 90 days to give a quick snapshot of gas levels. Meanwhile, long-term kits go over 90 days and provide more accurate year-round readings as they account for seasonal fluctuations. 

2. Install Radon-Resistant Features During Construction

Builders can incorporate radon-resistant construction techniques that help prevent its accumulation. These include:

• Gas-permeable layers beneath the foundation, such as gravel or perforated pipes, that allow soil gases to disperse.
• Sealed foundation and walls to prevent radon entry.
• A sub-slap depressurization system with ventilation channels and fans that direct radon outside before it enters the home.

The last one is more thorough, doesn’t require any significant home modifications and is the most effective radon reduction method at the architectural level.

3. Ensure Proper HVAC and Ventilation

Proper airflow helps dilute radon levels and maintain healthy indoor air quality. Installing heat recovery ventilators can significantly improve circulation by continuously bringing in fresh air and expelling stale indoor air. This enhances overall ventilation and reduces radon buildup.

Air pressure differences also influence radon levels. Using exhaust fans in kitchens and bathrooms can help regulate indoor air pressure, reducing the difference between the house and the soil. As fresh air is drawn in, radon gas is pulled out, preventing accumulation.

Additionally, exhaust fans are essential in kitchens where liquefied petroleum gas is used for cooking. Unvented gas appliances can contribute to indoor air pollution, further exacerbating radon buildup. To minimize risk, homeowners should opt for properly vented appliances and ensure adequate ventilation throughout the home.

How to Know if Your New Home Has Radon

Unlike mold or carbon monoxide, radon leaves no visible or immediate signs of its presence. Because it’s undetectable without specialized testing, here are indicators that your home might have issues.

• High radon readings in the neighborhood: If nearby homes report elevated radon levels, yours could be, too. Those in high-risk zones may experience higher readings.
• Basements or lower levels used as living spaces: Since radon is found in the soil, levels tend to be highest in ground-contact rooms. Homes with basements are considered at higher risk of containing elevated radon levels.
• Construction on soil with high uranium content: When uranium undergoes radioactive decay, it produces alpha, beta and gamma radiation, as well as other products, including radon. Check risk maps or consult with a local professional. 

Why Should Radon Testing Be a Priority for New Homes?

Imagine building your home in your dream neighborhood only to discover decades later that the radon level has been dangerously high all those years. You’ve unknowingly exposed yourself and your family to a lung cancer-causing gas. By the time you think of installing a mitigation system, the damage would have been done. This highlights the need for radon testing well before you’ve settled in your new residence. 

Skipping radon testing could also impact your home’s value. If you ever decide to sell your house, buyers will likely request a radon test, especially in high-risk areas. Having a mitigation system already in place can prevent costly negotiations or lost sales.

How Effective Is Radon Mitigation in New Construction?

Modern radon mitigation techniques are highly effective in reducing radon exposure. A well-installed system can lower radon levels by up to 99%, which can be felt as an improvement in indoor air quality.

Here’s how to prevent radon in new construction by maximizing the effectiveness of your home’s mitigation system:

• System placement: The vent pipe should extend above the roof to prevent radon from reentering the home.
• Regular maintenance: Fans in active mitigation systems should be inspected and replaced as needed.
• Follow-up testing: Even after installing a radon reduction system, periodic testing ensures continued effectiveness.

Breathe Easy When You Radon-Proof Your Residence

Don’t gamble with your health. Protecting your investment from radon exposure should be a top priority when purchasing or building your dream home. A simple test could save you and your family from serious health risks. Take action today — test your house, talk to your builder and ensure you’re breathing safe air from day one.

Rose Morrison Rose Morrison is the managing editor of Renovated Magazine and a dedicated writer specializing in home inspection topics, with over 6 years of experience creating informative content for homeowners and industry professionals. She is passionate about translating complex inspection concepts into accessible insights, empowering readers to make informed property decisions. Connect with Rose on LinkedIn for more insights.