Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas emitted from uranium, a naturally occurring mineral in rocks and soil. Normally, radon rises up through the soil and dissipates in the air outside. Radon becomes a concern, however, when it seeps through openings such as cracks, loose fitting pipes, sump pump pits, dirt floors, slab joints or block walls and accumulates in the home.
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Officials at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment have recently ranked all 64 counties in Colorado at a high risk for radon.
Testing for radon is the only method to know your exposure. There is electronic, calibrated radon monitors that test the radon levels every hour for 48 hours. Your results will be available the same day that the radon machine is picked up.
If the test shows a level of 4.0 picocuries then the home is considered to have radon. Like home inspections you can request the seller to remediate. If the seller chooses not to then you can request a cancellation of contract and a return of your earnest money.