MYTH #1: The home was vacant for 6 months prior to testing – it must have affected the results.
FACT: This has no impact on test results. Radon levels build back up within a home only 12 hours after a home is closed up. Whether the home has been closed up for 12 hours or 12 months will not affect the radon levels. All short term tests are conducted under closed house conditions so that the potential for high radon levels can be tested.
MYTH #2: Scientist are not sure that radon really is a problem.
FACT: Although some scientist dispute the precise number of deaths due to radon, all major health organizations (like the Centers for Disease Control, the American Lung Association, and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer deaths every year.
MYTH #3: Radon only affects certain types of homes.
FACT: Radon can be a problem in all types of homes such as old homes, new homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with basements and homes without basements. Construction materials and the way the home has been built may also affect radon levels.
MYTH #4: Radon is only a problem in certain parts of the country.
FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state, including Arizona. Radon problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to know the home’s radon level is to test.
MYTH #5: A neighbor’s test result is a good indication of whether your home has a radon problem.
FACT: It is not. Radon levels vary from home to home. The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test it.
MYTH #6: I have lived in my home for so long, it does not make sense to take action now.
FACT: You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce radon levels, even if you have lived with a radon problem for a long time.