As a child of the ’60s and ’70s, I’ve lived through my fair share of environmental hazards — lead paint, asbestos, lawn darts — you name it. In fact, I occupied the top bunk in the room I shared with my older sister and played with the sparkles on the asbestos ceiling when I couldn’t sleep, which was much of the time. While I could say it hasn’t killed me yet, if I had known better at the time, I probably wouldn’t have done half the things I did as a kid, including spending my childhood playing in basements that were basically radon incubators. Of course, I was convinced my parents only relegated the children that they didn’t like to our orange shag carpeted basement donned with wood paneled walls and no insulation.

And honestly, like every other subject on the planet these days, you can find studies both proving and refuting the risks of radon exposure. One article says it’s a silent killer; another says the panic is overblown. Welcome to the internet.

What exactly is radon? Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is formed by the decay of uranium and thorium (both radioactive heavy metals), found in soil, rock and groundwater. It can easily seep into homes and buildings through cracks in foundations, pipe gaps, construction joints and utility access. It can then get trapped in homes, especially if there is poor ventilation. The U.S. surgeon general, along with the EPA, have identified radon as the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.

While there is strong epidemiological evidence linking long-term exposure to high radon levels with increased lung cancer rates, much of this research is based on studies of underground uranium miners who were exposed to significantly higher concentrations on a daily basis. What we do know as fact, from biological and lab studies, is that when radon gas decays, it produces radioactive particles that stick to dust particles, which can be inhaled and lodge into the lungs. These particles are highly ionizing, which can damage cells and tissues, which in turn can cause DNA double-strand breaks. This can initiate cancer development.

On the other hand, some skeptics (the people questioning if it’s blinker fluid), argue that “typical residential exposures have never conclusively been shown to increase cancer risk.” These claims are not supported by mainstream science; however, the question has been asked who benefits, specifically in the financial arena, by radon mitigation.

The fix is easy and inexpensive. The radon test itself is inexpensive, quick and doesn’t involve hazmat suits or government-issued Geiger counters. Testing for radon is simple. A little device is set up in the home — usually in the basement — and it quietly does its thing over 48 to 72 hours, measuring how much radon is hanging around. If the results come back higher than 4 picocuries per liter (that’s just fancy radon-speak for “too much”), the EPA says it’s time to take action.

Enter the sub-slab depressurization system, which sounds complicated but really just means a fan and some PVC pipe working together to suck the radon from beneath your home and send it packing above the roofline. The pipe can run inside or outside, depending on what makes the most sense for your setup. The cost varies, but the fix is fast and there are pros that specialize in this kind of thing.

For the record, this is not an opinion piece. It is simply a surface level report of the facts. But here’s my take: just because I survived lead paint and lawn darts (so far), doesn’t mean I’d recommend them. Asbestos is real. If I’d known then what I know now, I wouldn’t have played with the sparkles on the ceiling. Radon also is real. It’s a naturally occurring radioactive gas, and according to the EPA, long-term exposure has been linked to lung cancer. And that is all I have to say about that.

Jen Fischer is an associate broker and Realtor. She can be reached at 801-645-2134 or jen@jen-fischer.com.