The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s radon program began more than 30 years ago as the scientific and public health community began to understand the risks associated with indoor radon exposure; it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country.

Since the initial campaign to bring awareness, EPA has influenced Americans to make conscious decisions to protect their families; millions of homes have undergone testing, and radon testing has become standard when buying a home.

However, EPA estimates that about seven million high-radon homes remain across the United States.

Testing is the only way to know if a home has an elevated level of radon. Affordable do-it-yourself radon test kits are available online and at most home improvement and hardware stores. You can also hire a qualified radon professional to test your home. EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend taking action to fix your home if the radon level is four picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of air or more.

The cost of reducing radon in your home depends on the constructing of your home, and the extent of the radon problem. Most homes see an easy fix for about the same cost as other common home repairs.

For more information on testing and contact information for radon resources in your state, please visit https://www.epa.gov/radon/find-information-about-local-radon-zones-and-state-contact-information.