WHAT IS IT?
By now you have probably heard of the naturally occurring, invisible, odorless radioactive soil gas called radon that seeps up out of the ground in parts of this country. Like other areas of the U.S., the Northeast is susceptible to this problem.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT?
If the house is located over high radon soil or rock, then unacceptable levels of radon may accumulate in the house. High enough exposure to radon for long enough periods of time increases one's chance of getting lung cancer.

WHAT DO I DO NOW?
Have a screening test for radon in air performed. This should tell you if the radon level in the house you are buying is low, high or borderline. Most Home Inspectors can administer a radon test for you.

Since radon in air levels vary substantially from hour to hour, day to day and season to season for various reasons, do not think of your test results as a hard number. These are screening tests.

Radon mitigation systems are available (at a usual cost of around $1,000) for houses with high readings. Systems are often installed at houses with borderline readings at the discretion of the people involved. There may already be a system present at the house you are considering.

WHAT DO I DO WHEN I OWN THE HOUSE?
Live normally and enjoy the home.

While the actual radon level will fluctuate up and down over time, chances are there will not be a systematic trend toward more or less radon. Nevertheless, retesting every few years might be best.

If you have a radon mitigation system, check the built-in monitor from time to time to make sure the system continues to operate. It would also be prudent to test the radon level in the house every few years to make sure the system's operation remains effective.