Since the COVID-19 pandemic, having the ability to work from home has been a blessing for many Americans, but is it coming at a cost? The Center for Disease Control just wrapped up Radon Awareness Month–but that doesn’t mean your concern over the health and safety of your home office should be as short-lived. With an increased amount of Americans spending more time at home where periodic radon testing isn’t a usual necessity, awareness of the problem is a must.

“Radon is a silent killer that more people should be conscious of and know how to detect,” said James McDonnell, the founder and CEO of PRO-LAB, a company specializing in at-home radon test kits.

“One hazard that could interfere with a safe home office is if a house has elevated levels of radon, a deadly radioactive gas that rises from decaying uranium underground into homes through openings in foundations or basements.”

But how deadly is radon? The EPA estimates that about 21,000 people die each year from radon-related lung cancer and since radon is color and odorless, it’s impossible to tell if you are being exposed without a test kit.

“Radon is naturally in the atmosphere in trace amounts. Outdoors, radon disperses rapidly and, generally, is not a health issue. Most radon exposure occurs inside homes, schools and workplaces. Radon gas becomes trapped indoors after it enters buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Indoor radon can be controlled and managed with proven, cost-effective techniques […] Testing is the only way to determine radon levels. Have your home tested, either by a professional or with a do-it-yourself home test kit,” the EPA recommends.

The good news is that even if radon levels in your home are above an acceptable level there are steps you can take to mitigate the problem.

“If radon levels are high, contact a certified radon service professional to fix your home. EPA guidance suggests mitigating if levels are at or above 148 Becquerels/meter3 (4 picocuries/liter). Usually, radon problems are fixed using an underground ventilation system or by increasing the rate of air changes in the building.”

It’s not too late to check your home for radon, and it could just save your life.