Radon: Why Every Grand Rapids Home Should Be Tested

Radon Testing in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from the soil into homes — and it’s a bigger problem in West Michigan than many people realize. According to Michigan EGLE, about 1 in 4 Michigan homes has a radon level above the action limit, and elevated levels have been found in all 83 counties, including Kent County. Because you can’t see or smell radon, the only way to know your level is to test.

Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking, and the leading cause among people who have never smoked (CDC). The good news: radon problems are common, easy to detect, and fixable.

Why radon matters here

Radon forms naturally as uranium in soil and rock breaks down. It enters homes through cracks in foundations and basement floors, gaps around pipes, and sump pits. Grand Rapids’ housing stock — including many homes with basements — and long, closed-up winters (when houses are sealed against the cold) can let radon build up indoors.

Breathing radon over many years damages lung tissue and raises lung-cancer risk. The risk is higher if you smoke or vape.

Test your home — it’s simple and cheap

The EPA and CDC recommend that every home be tested, regardless of age, location, or whether it has a basement.

• Short-term test kits (2–7 days) are inexpensive and available online, at hardware stores, and sometimes through your county.
• Long-term tests (90+ days) give a better picture of your year-round average.
• Place the test in the lowest level you regularly use (often a basement or first floor), and follow the kit instructions.

Michigan EGLE runs an Indoor Radon Program with low-cost test kits and a hotline: 1-800-723-6642 (1-800-RADON-GAS). EGLE also publishes an online map of first-time radon test results by ZIP code.

What the numbers mean

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L):

• 4 pCi/L or higher — the EPA recommends you fix your home.
• Between 2 and 4 pCi/L — consider fixing.
• There is no completely “safe” level, but lower is better.

If a short-term test comes back high, confirm it with a second test before paying for repairs.

Fixing a radon problem

If your level is elevated, a radon mitigation system can usually bring it down quickly. The most common fix is a sub-slab depressurization system — a vent pipe and fan that pulls radon from beneath the foundation and releases it above the roof, where it disperses harmlessly.

• Use a Michigan-certified radon mitigation professional.
• Most systems cost roughly the same as other home repairs and can cut radon by up to 99%.
• Re-test after the system is installed, and every few years afterward.

If you’re buying or selling a home in the Grand Rapids area, radon testing is a common and reasonable part of the inspection.

When to talk to a doctor

Radon itself doesn’t cause immediate symptoms. But if you’ve had long-term radon exposure — especially if you smoke or used to — talk with your primary care doctor about your lung-cancer risk and whether lung cancer screening (a low-dose CT scan) is appropriate for you. Persistent cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood should always be checked promptly.