Radon Knowledge Base

Additional Radon Questions for Kids, Babies, and Pregnancy

This page gathers additional radon questions involving children, babies, pregnancy, and lower-level living spaces. The information is general education and should not be treated as medical advice. Families with personal health questions should rely on their physician or public-health guidance. For the home, the practical path is to understand whether the result is reliable, whether the room is used often, and whether a mitigation system or existing system review is appropriate. American Radon Systems focuses on state licensed mitigation work, so the guidance connects family concern to fixable home details such as passive piping, fan operation, suction, sump sealing, crawlspace conditions, and lower-level layout.

The nursery was in the basement for 8 months before we tested. Came back at 4.8 pCi/L. What should I tell the pediatrician?

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

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We're about to list our home but realized the basement nursery may have had elevated radon for years while our kids were young. Should I disclose this?

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

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My ex-wife has the kids half the time in a house that tested at 5.5 pCi/L. She refuses to fix it. What can I do?

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

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My brother has a baby and won't test for radon. He thinks it's not worth the a small amount for a kit. How do I convince him?

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

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Can I ask my realtor to work through the next step for radon mitigation before we close on a house where my kids will be living?

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

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My daughter spends weekends at her dad's house. He has 5.3 pCi/L radon and refuses to fix it. My daughter has asthma. What do I do?

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

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We just bought our first house and found out it has 5.1 pCi/L radon. I'm three months pregnant. The sellers didn't disclose this. What are my options?

For the radon side, focus on a reliable current reading and a clear mitigation path if the level is elevated. Real-estate paperwork, repair allowances, rental responsibilities, and closing decisions should be handled by the people managing the transaction. Bill can help with the practical radon part: what the number means, whether mitigation makes sense, and what a proper system would involve. If the reading is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends fixing the home. Between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L, EPA says to consider mitigation, especially if the space is used often.

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Reviewed by Bill Dahlstrom, Illinois radon mitigation license RNM2018212.