Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that is both invisible and odourless, and it can seep into a home from the ground. Over time, high levels raise the risk of lung cancer, and the gas is measured in becquerels per cubic metre (Bq/m³). The limits are clear: the level should be remedied when it sits above the action level of 100 Bq/m³, and it must in any case be kept below the maximum limit of 200 Bq/m³. Radon is best measured over a period during the winter half-year, since the level varies. As a buyer, look for a radon measurement in the sales prospectus, especially for homes with living rooms in the basement or at ground level; if a measurement is missing, radon is one of the things you can check yourself after takeover, and remediation is usually manageable.