Understanding the health risks of long-term radon exposure is vital for every South Dakota homeowner. While radon is a national issue, the stakes are statistically higher here. According to data from the EPA, South Dakota is at the highest risk level for dangerous levels of radon in homes.
The national average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L, but in South Dakota, the average is approximately 9.6 pCi/L—more than double the EPA’s recommended “action level” of 4.0 pCi/L. Nearly 60% of homes tested in South Dakota have radon levels that exceed this threshold.
Living in a home with radon levels this high is roughly equivalent to having hundreds of chest x-rays every single year.
Professional Radon Testing and Mitigation
The most important thing you can do to keep you and your loved ones safe is to conduct a radon test.
New homeowners are at a higher risk for unknowingly living in a space with dangerously high levels of radon. Unfortunately, South Dakota law only requires sellers to disclose known radon levels. The state does not require testing or force landlords to disclose levels to tenants. This means many new homeowners and buyers are unaware of the risks.
Radon Crew offers professional testing options to bridge this gap. If tests confirm your family is at risk, our team can walk you through the process of setting up a radon mitigation program. Mitigation is a straightforward construction process that effectively vents the gas outside before it enters your home.
How Radon Damages Your Health
To understand why testing is critical, it is helpful to understand exactly how radon moves from the ground into your body.
- The Source: Uranium Decay Radon is a gas formed by the natural decay of uranium in the soil. Because South Dakota has high uranium concentrations in its geology, radon easily seeps into basements and living spaces through cracks in foundations or gaps around service pipes.
- The Exposure: Silent Accumulation The health risk isn’t immediate. You won’t cough or feel dizzy the moment you walk into a home with high radon levels. Because the gas is undetectable by human senses, many people are exposed for 10 or 20 years without knowing it.
- The Damage: Radioactive Decay in the Lungs When you breathe in radon, radioactive particles get trapped in your lungs. Over time, these particles decay and release small bursts of energy that can damage lung tissue and DNA. If this exposure continues for years—which is common as families stay in homes for decades—the repeated cellular damage can lead to lung cancer.
- The Result: Lung Cancer Risks According to the EPA and the Surgeon General, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for roughly 21,000 deaths annually. For non-smokers, it is the number one cause.
Take Control of Your Health
Radon levels can vary wildly from house to house. Your neighbor might test low while you test high.
The only way to be sure your house does not have dangerous levels of radon present is through testing. If you are concerned about the health risks of long-term radon exposure, the first step is a simple test.
Don’t wait until health issues arise. By verifying your levels now, you can either rest easy knowing your air is safe or take immediate action to mitigate the problem and protect your family’s future health.
Prevent Long-Term Radon Exposure
A healthier future starts with getting your home tested.