A Jenison Radon Scare Reminds Grand Rapids to Test Now
A family’s discovery of radon at seven times the EPA action threshold underscores why every homeowner here should pick up a test kit.
When Alexandra Cipriani read about free radon testing in an Ottawa County newsletter, she had no idea her Jenison home would register 28 pCi/L—seven times the EPA limit. A $1,300 mitigation system brought it down to 1.3. The takeaway for Grand Rapids: radon doesn’t stop at county lines, and Kent County sells test kits for a few dollars.
Alexandra Cipriani learned about Ottawa County’s free radon test kits through a community newsletter, and ordered one on a whim. The result was alarming: 28 picocuries per liter, a level well above the EPA’s action limit of 4. Radon, a colorless, odorless gas linked to lung cancer, can seep into any home through cracks in the foundation.
The Ciprianis didn’t panic—they called a mitigation contractor. For about $1,300, a system was installed that pipes radon from below the basement slab up and out of the house. A follow-up test showed levels had dropped to 1.3 pCi/L. The cost was modest compared to the peace of mind gained.
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While Ottawa County’s free kit program doesn’t extend to Kent, Grand Rapids homeowners have an easy, affordable option. The Kent County Health Department sells short-term radon test kits for $5, and many hardware stores carry them. Given that radon levels can vary dramatically from block to block, the only way to know your home’s level is to test. As the Ciprianis showed, catching it early is a straightforward fix.
