Why is Radon Dangerous and How Can You Get Rid of It?
What You Need to Know About Radon – The Invisible Danger in Your Home Radon is a silent and invisible enemy in many homes. This radioactive gas, which has no smell, color, or taste, is one of the leading causes of lung cancer for non-smokers. The biggest problem? Many people are unaware of its presence and therefore don't take action.
Is Your Home Safe? Radon most easily enters from the soil and accumulates in enclosed spaces, especially in basements and ground-floor rooms. The danger is greater in certain areas of Slovenia (a radon map can help, but it's not an absolute guarantee!), but it can appear anywhere. Concentrations are often higher in winter and in more tightly sealed, unventilated buildings.
How to Detect It and What to Do The good news is that radon is a solvable problem!
Measurement is the first step: Check concentrations in high-risk rooms with a dedicated meter. Simple home-use meters cost between 50 and 200 euros. For a reliable assessment, it's recommended to measure for at least several months.
Remediation is feasible: If measurements show elevated concentrations (in Slovenia, the reference value is 300 Bq/m³), contact experts (e.g., the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute). The most effective method is ventilating the soil beneath the building, which can reduce the concentration by 90% or more.
Remediation costs: They are not excessively high. For simple cases, remediation can be around 1,000 euros, but most costs are between 2,000 and 3,000 euros for a single-family home. The remediation process is not overly complex.
Don't delay in checking the situation in your home!
According to estimates, up to 2-3% of residential buildings in Slovenia could have elevated radon concentrations. Awareness and timely action can significantly reduce the health risk.
You can read the full article and more detailed information about why radon is dangerous, exactly how measurements and remediation are carried out, and what experts advise in the original article from the Finance newspaper.