What is Radon?
- Gwen Krehbiel
- Jan 7
- 3 min read
Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that forms naturally in soil and rock.
It can seep into homes through foundation cracks, sump pumps, crawl spaces, and gaps around pipes—often without any obvious warning signs.
Once inside, radon gas can build up to dangerous levels. As it breaks down, it releases radioactive particles that, when inhaled over time, can damage lung tissue and significantly increase the risk of lung cancer.
Why Radon Is a Serious Health Concern
Radon exposure is not rare—and it is not harmless. Because radon has no smell, color, or taste, testing is the only way to know if your home is affected.
Every 25 minutes, someone in the U.S. dies from radon-related lung cancer
Radon is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths
It is the #1 cause of lung cancer in non-smokers
In Minnesota, over 40% of homes have radon levels above the recommended safety threshold
How Radon Exposure Affects the Body
Long-term radon exposure damages the lungs at a cellular level. From a functional health perspective, radon is one of many environmental stressors that quietly undermine long-term wellness.
Over time, this can:
Increase cancer risk
Add to the body’s toxic burden
Place stress on detoxification pathways
Compound inflammation and immune system strain
How to Test for Radon in Your Home
Testing for radon is simple, affordable, and non-invasive.
Short-term test kits typically take 3–5 days
Minnesota residents can order a test kit here:👉 https://mn.radon.com
Test kits are also widely available online
Regular testing is especially important if:
You live in Minnesota or the Upper Midwest
You spend time in a basement or lower-level space
You’ve made changes to your home’s foundation or ventilation
Want Ongoing Monitoring?
Some households choose continuous radon monitors for ongoing peace of mind. These devices allow you to track radon levels in real time and can be used at home, work, or even while traveling.
What to Do If Radon Levels Are High
If radon levels exceed 4 pCi/L (148 Bq/m³), professional mitigation is recommended. Radon mitigation systems can reduce indoor radon levels by up to 99%.
Common mitigation strategies include:
Sub-slab or soil suction systems
Foundation crack sealing
Crawl space encapsulation
Improved ventilation and air exchange
Home pressurization systems
After mitigation, retesting is essential to confirm levels have dropped into a safe range.
Why This Matters for Your Long-Term Health
Environmental toxins like radon are often overlooked because they’re invisible—but they still place stress on the body. Reducing toxic exposures is a foundational part of preventive, root-cause health care, especially for individuals dealing with fatigue, inflammation, immune stress, or chronic symptoms.
Take the First Step Toward a Healthier Home
If you’re working to reduce toxic burden, support your immune system, or improve overall wellness, addressing environmental exposures like radon is an important piece of the puzzle.
At Krehbiel Natural Health, we begin with a Self-Sabotage Breakthrough Session—a focused consultation to help uncover hidden stressors, patterns, and obstacles that may be affecting your health.
This session helps determine:
Whether environmental factors may be contributing to symptoms
What supportive next steps make sense for your body
How to create a practical, personalized path forward
Schedule your Self-Sabotage Breakthrough Session and take a proactive step toward protecting your health—inside and outside your home.
Medical Disclaimer:This information is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with qualified professionals regarding medical or environmental health concerns.
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