Radon is a radioactive gas that is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and groundwater. While radon can be an issue for homes all over the world, the problem is especially prominent here in the Twin Cities metro. According to the Minnesota Department of Health, over 40% of homes in the state have dangerous levels of radon. That’s because Minnesota’s glacial deposits and bedrock have high uranium content, resulting in some of the highest average indoor radon levels in the United States.

After radon forms as a gas in the soil, this gas will travel up to the surface. Ordinarily, radon harmlessly dissipates into the atmosphere. However, when a house is built over a radon deposit, this can result in radon gas instead seeping into the home, where it becomes trapped and accumulates over time. Unfortunately, because modern homes are so energy efficient, there are few gaps where radon can escape. Pressure differences created by your home’s HVAC systems may even act as a vacuum, sucking excess radon gas up from the ground.