Although radon testing isn’t legally required in North Carolina, testing is recommended, especially in areas where radon levels are known to be high. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that naturally occurs from the decay of uranium in soil and rock. Long-term exposure to elevated radon levels can lead to serious health risks, including lung cancer. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, after smoking. Testing for radon is the only way to know if your home has elevated levels, as radon is undetectable without specialized testing equipment. Radon levels can vary from home to home, even in the same neighborhood, so even if your neighbor’s home doesn’t have high radon levels, the radon levels in your home can still be high.