A Citizen’s Guide

To Radon

The Guide To Protecting

Yourself And Your Family

From Radon

Printed on Recycled Paper (50% Post-Consumer Content)

www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html
2

EPA Recommends:

 Test your home for radon—it’s easy and

inexpensive.

 Fix your home if your radon level is

4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher.

 Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose a

risk, and in many cases may be reduced.

Radon is

estimated

to cause

thousands of

lung cancer

deaths in the

U.S. each year.

*Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according

to EPA’s 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). The

numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and

Control Report and 2002 National Safety Council Reports.

30,000

deaths

per year

10,000

Drownings

2

Home

Fires

Falls in

the Home

21,000

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

17,400

8,000

3,900 2,800

RADON* Drunk

Driving
3

Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas.

You can’t see radon. And you can’t smell it or taste it. But it may be a

problem in your home.

Radon is estimated to cause many thousands of deaths each year. That’s

because when you breathe air containing radon, you can get lung cancer. In

fact, the Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause

of lung cancer in the United States today. Only smoking causes more lung

cancer deaths. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your

risk of lung cancer is especially high.

Radon can be found all over the U.S.

Radon comes from the natural (radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil,

rock and water and gets into the air you breathe. Radon can be found all

over the U.S. It can get into any type of building—homes, offices, and

schools—and result in a high indoor radon level. But you and your family

are most likely to get your greatest exposure at home, where you spend most

of your time.

You should test for radon.

Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from

radon. EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below

the third floor for radon. EPA also recommends testing in schools.

Testing is inexpensive and easy—it should only take a few minutes of your

time. Millions of Americans have already tested their homes for radon (see

page 5).

You can fix a radon problem.

Radon reduction systems work and they are not too costly. Some radon

reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99%. Even

very high levels can be reduced to acceptable levels.

New homes can be built with radon-resistant features.

Radon-resistant construction techniques can be effective in preventing radon

entry. When installed properly and completely, these simple and inexpensive

techniques can help reduce indoor radon levels in homes. In addition,

installing them at the time of construction makes it easier and less expensive

to reduce radon levels further if these passive techniques don’t reduce radon

levels to below 4 pCi/L. Every new home should be tested after occupancy,

even if it was built radon-resistant. If radon levels are still in excess of 4

pCi/L, the passive system should be activated by having a qualified mitigator

install a vent fan. For more explanation of radon resistant construction

techniques, refer to EPA publication, Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide

on How to Build Radon-Resistant Homes (see page 15).

OVERVIEW

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007 3

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon
4

RADON GETS IN THROUGH:

1. Cracks in solid floors.

2. Construction joints.

3. Cracks in walls.

4. Gaps in

suspended floors.

5. Gaps around

service pipes.

6. Cavities inside walls.

7. The water supply.

HOW DOES RADON GET INTO YOUR HOME?

Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium

that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground

to the air above and into your home through cracks and other holes in the

foundation. Your home traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any

home may have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, wellsealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements.

Radon from soil gas is the main cause of radon problems. Sometimes

radon enters the home through well water (see page 8). In a small number

of homes, the building materials can give off radon, too. However, building

materials rarely cause radon problems by themselves.

Any home may

have a radon

problem.

Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have elevated

radon levels. Elevated levels of radon gas have been found in homes in your

state. Contact your state radon office (see back cover) for general

information about radon in your area. While radon problems may be

more common in some areas, any home may have a problem. The only

way to know about your home is to test.

Radon can also be a problem in schools and workplaces. Ask your state

radon office (see back cover) about radon problems in schools, daycare and

childcare facilities, and workplaces in your area (also visit www.epa.gov/

radon).

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007
5

HOW TO TEST YOUR HOME

You can’t see radon, but it’s not hard to find out if you have a radon

problem in your home. All you need to do is test for radon. Testing is easy

and should only take a few minutes of your time.

The amount of radon in the air is measured in “picocuries per liter of

air,” or “pCi/L.” Sometimes test results are expressed in Working Levels

(WL) rather than picocuries per liter (pCi/L) (4 pCi/L equals 0.016 WL).

There are many kinds of low-cost “do it yourself” radon test kits you can

get through the mail and in some hardware stores and other retail outlets.

If you prefer, or if you are buying or selling a home, you can hire a qualified

tester to do the testing for you. You should first contact your state radon

office about obtaining a list of qualified testers. You can also contact a

private radon proficiency program for lists of privately certified radon

professionals serving your area. For links and more information, visit

www.epa.gov/radon/proficiency.html.

There are Two General Ways to Test for Radon:

SHORT-TERM TESTING:

The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. Short-term tests remain in your

home for two days to 90 days, depending on the device. “Charcoal canisters,” “alpha

track,” “electret ion chamber,” “continuous monitors,” and “charcoal liquid

scintillation” detectors are most commonly used for short-term testing. Because

radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test is

less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. If you

need results quickly, however, a short-term test followed by a second short-term test

may be used to decide whether to fix your home (see also page 7 under Home Sales).

LONG-TERM TESTING:

Long-term tests remain in your home for more than 90 days. “Alpha track” and

“electret” detectors are commonly used for this type of testing. A long-term test will

give you a reading that is more likely to tell you your home’s year-round average radon

level than a short-term test.

How To Use a Test Kit:

Follow the instructions that come with your test kit. If you are doing a

short-term test, close your windows and outside doors and keep them

closed as much as possible during the test. Heating and air conditioning

system fans that re-circulate air may be operated. Do not operate fans or

other machines which bring in air from outside. Fans that are part of a

radon-reduction system or small exhaust fans operating only for short

periods of time may run during the test. If you are doing a short-term test

lasting just 2 or 3 days, be sure to close your windows and outside doors at

least 12 hours before beginning the test, too. You should not conduct

Testing is easy

and should only

take a few

minutes of

your time.

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007
6

short-term tests lasting just 2 or 3 days during unusually severe storms or periods of

unusually high winds. The test kit should be placed in the lowest lived-in level of the

home (for example, the basement if it is frequently used, otherwise the first floor). It

should be put in a room that is used regularly (like a living room, playroom, den, or

bedroom) but not your kitchen or bathroom. Place the kit at least 20 inches above the

floor in a location where it won’t be disturbed—away from drafts, high heat, high

humidity, and exterior walls. Leave the kit in place for as long as the package says. Once

you’ve finished the test, reseal the package and send it to the lab specified on the package

right away for analysis. You should receive your test results within a few weeks.

EPA Recommends the Following Testing Steps:

Step 1. Take a short-term test. If your result is 4 pCi/L or higher, take a followup test (Step 2) to be sure.

Step 2. Follow up with either a long-term test or a second short-term test:

• For a better understanding of your year-round average

radon level, take a long-term test.

• If you need results quickly, take a second short-term test.

The higher your initial short-term test result, the more certain you can

be that you should take a short-term rather than a long-term follow up

test. If your first short-term test result is more than twice EPA’s 4 pCi/L

action level, you should take a second short-term test immediately.

Step 3. • If you followed up with a long-term test: Fix your home if your longterm test result is 4 pCi/L or more.

• If you followed up with a second short-term test: The higher your

short-term results, the more certain you can be that you should fix

your home. Consider fixing your home if the average of your first and

second test is 4 pCi/L or higher (see also page 7 under Home Sales).

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon
7

WHAT YOUR TEST RESULTS MEAN

The average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L, and

about 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. The U.S.

Congress has set a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more

than outdoor levels. While this goal is not yet technologically achievable

in all cases, most homes today can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or below.

Sometimes short-term tests are less definitive about whether or not

your home is above 4 pCi/L. This can happen when your results are close

to 4 pCi/L. For example, if the average of your two short-term test results

is 4.1 pCi/L, there is about a 50% chance that your year-round average is

somewhat below 4 pCi/L. However, EPA believes that any radon exposure

carries some risk—no level of radon is safe. Even radon levels below 4 pCi/L

pose some risk, and you can reduce your risk of lung cancer by lowering

your radon level.

If your living patterns change and you begin occupying a lower level of

your home (such as a basement) you should retest your home on that level.

Even if your test result is below 4 pCi/L, you may want to test again

sometime in the future.

RADON AND HOME SALES

More and more, home buyers and renters are asking about radon levels before they buy or rent a home.

Because real estate sales happen quickly, there is often little time to deal with radon and other issues. The

best thing to do is to test for radon NOW and save the results in case the buyer is interested in them. Fix a

problem if it exists so it won’t complicate your home sale. If you are planning to move, call your state radon

office (see back page) for EPA's pamphlet “Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon,” which addresses some

common questions (www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/realestate.html). You can also use the results of two short-term

tests done side-by-side (four inches apart) to decide whether to fix your home.

During home sales:

• Buyers often ask if a home has been tested, and if elevated levels were reduced.

• Buyers frequently want tests made by someone who is not involved in the home sale. Your state radon

office (see back cover) can assist you in identifying a qualified tester.

• Buyers might want to know the radon levels in areas of the home (like a basement they plan to finish) that

the seller might not otherwise test.

Today many homes are built to help prevent radon from coming in. Building codes in your state or local area

may require these radon-resistant construction features. If you are buying or renting a new home, ask the

owner or builder if it has radon-resistant features. The EPA recommends building new homes with radonresistant features in high radon potential (Zone 1) areas. Even if built radon-resistant, every new home should

be tested for radon after occupancy. If you have a test result of 4 pCi/L or more, you can have a qualified

mitigator easily add a vent fan to an existing passive system for about $300 and further reduce the radon level

in your home. For more information, refer to the EPA’s Map of Radon Zones and other useful EPA documents

on radon-resistant new construction (see publications on page 15), or visit www.epa.gov/radon.

Test your home

now and save

your results. If

you find high

radon levels, fix

your home before

you decide to

sell it.

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007
8

RADON IN WATER

There are two main sources for the

radon in your home’s indoor air,

the soil and the water supply.

Compared to radon entering the

home through water, radon

entering your home through the

soil is usually a much larger risk.

The radon in your water supply

poses an inhalation risk and an

ingestion risk. Research has shown

that your risk of lung cancer from

breathing radon in air is much

larger than your risk of stomach

cancer from swallowing water with

radon in it. Most of your risk from

radon in water comes from radon

If you’ve tested

the air in your

home and found

a radon problem,

and your water

comes from a

well, have your

water tested.

released into the air when water is used for showering and other household

purposes.

Radon in your home’s water is not usually a problem when its source is

surface water. A radon in water problem is more likely when its source is

ground water, e.g., a private well or a public water supply system that uses

ground water. If you are concerned that radon may be entering your home

through the water and your water comes from a public water supply,

contact your water supplier.

If you’ve tested your private well and have a radon in water problem, it

can be fixed. Your home’s water supply can be treated in two ways. Pointof-entry treatment can effectively remove radon from the water before it

enters your home. Point-of-use treatment devices remove radon from your

water at the tap, but only treat a small portion of the water you use and are

not effective in reducing the risk from breathing radon released into the air

from all water used in the home.

For more information, call EPA’s

Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791

or visit www.epa.gov/

safewater/radon.html. If

your water comes from

a private well, you can

also contact your

state radon office.

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon
9

RADON AND HOME

RENOVATIONS

If you are planning

any major structural

renovation, such as

converting an unfinished basement area

into living space, it is

especially important to

test the area for radon

before you begin the

renovation. If your

test results indicate a

radon problem, radonresistant techniques

can be inexpensively

included as part of the

renovation. Because

major renovations can

change the level of

radon in any home,

always test again after

work is completed.

HOW TO LOWER THE RADON LEVEL

IN YOUR HOME

Since there is no known safe level of radon, there can always be some

risk. But the risk can be reduced by lowering the radon level in your

home.

There are several proven methods to reduce radon in your home, but the

one primarily used is a vent pipe system and fan, which pulls radon from

beneath the house and vents it to the outside. This system, known as a soil

suction radon reduction system, does not require major changes to your

home. Sealing foundation cracks and other openings makes this kind of

system more effective and cost-efficient. Similar systems can also be

installed in houses with crawl spaces. Radon contractors can use other

methods that may also work in your home. The right system depends on

the design of your home and other factors.

Ways to reduce radon in your home are discussed in EPA’s Consumer’s

Guide to Radon Reduction. You can get a copy from your state radon office,

or view it online at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs.

The cost of reducing radon in your home depends on how your home

was built and the extent of the radon problem. Most homes can be fixed for

about the same cost as other common home repairs. The average house

costs about $1,200 for a contractor to fix, although this can range from about

$800 to about $2,500. The cost is much less if a passive system was installed

during construction.

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon
10

Lowering high radon levels requires technical knowledge and special

skills. You should use a contractor who is trained to fix radon problems. A

qualified contractor can study the radon problem in your home and help

you pick the right treatment method.

Check with your state radon office for names of qualified or state certified radon contractors in your area. You can also contact private radon

proficiency programs for lists of privately certified radon professionals in

your area. For more information on private radon proficiency programs,

visit www.epa.gov/radon/proficiency.html. Picking someone to fix your radon

problem is much like choosing a contractor for other home repairs—you

may want to get references and more than one estimate.

If you are considering fixing your home’s radon problem yourself, you should

first contact your state radon office for guidance and assistance.

You should also test your home again after it is fixed to be sure that

radon levels have been reduced. Most soil suction radon reduction systems

include a

monitor that will

indicate whether

the system is

operating

properly. In

addition, it’s a

good idea to

retest your home

every two years

to be sure radon

levels remain

low.

Most homes can

be fixed for

about the same

cost as other

common home

repairs.

Note: This diagram is a composite view of several mitigation options.

The typical mitigation system usually has only one pipe penetration

through the basement floor; the pipe may also be installed on the

outside of the house.

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007
11

THE RISK OF LIVING WITH RADON

Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in

your lungs when you breathe. As they break down further, these

particles release small bursts of energy. This can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer over the course of your lifetime. Not

everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer.

And the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease

may be many years.

Like other environmental pollutants, there is some uncertainty about

the magnitude of radon health risks. However, we know more about

radon risks than risks from most other cancer-causing substances. This

is because estimates of radon risks are based on studies of cancer in

humans (underground miners).

Smoking combined with radon is an especially serious health risk.

Stop smoking and lower your radon level to reduce your lung cancer

risk.

Children have been reported to have greater risk than adults of

certain types of cancer from radiation, but there are currently no

conclusive data on whether children are at greater risk than adults

from radon.

Your chances of getting lung cancer from radon depend mostly on:

• How much radon is in your home

• The amount of time you spend in

your home

• Whether you are a smoker or have

ever smoked

Scientists are

more certain

about radon risks

than risks from

most other

cancer-causing

substances.

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007
12

RADON RISK IF YOU SMOKE

RADON RISK IF YOU’VE NEVER SMOKED

Radon

Level

20 pCi/L

10 pCi/L

8 pCi/L

4 pCi/L

2 pCi/L

1.3 pCi/L

0.4 pCi/L

If 1,000 people who

smoked were exposed

to this level over a

lifetime*. . .

About 260 people

could get lung cancer

About 150 people

could get lung cancer

About 120 people

could get lung cancer

About 62 people

could get lung cancer

About 32 people

could get lung cancer

About 20 people

could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from

radon exposure compares to**. . .

250 times the risk

 of drowning

200 times the risk of

 dying in a home fire

30 times the risk of

 dying in a fall

5 times the risk of dying

 in a car crash

6 times the risk of dying

 from poison

(Average indoor radon level)

(Average outdoor radon level)

WHAT TO DO:

Stop Smoking and. . .

Fix your home

Fix your home

Fix your home

Fix your home

Consider fixing

between 2 and 4 pCi/L

(Reducing

radon levels

below

2 pCi/L is

difficult)

Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be lower.

It’s never too

late to reduce

your risk of lung

cancer. Don’t

wait to test and

fix a radon

problem. If you

are a smoker,

stop smoking.

Radon

Level

20 pCi/L

10 pCi/L

8 pCi/L

4 pCi/L

2 pCi/L

1.3 pCi/L

0.4 pCi/L

If 1,000 people who

never smoked were

exposed to this level

over a lifetime*. . .

About 36 people

could get lung cancer

About 18 people

could get lung cancer

About 15 people

could get lung cancer

About 7 people

could get lung cancer

About 4 people

could get lung cancer

About 2 people

could get lung cancer

The risk of cancer from

radon exposure compares to**. . .

35 times the risk

of drowning

20 times the risk of dying

in a home fire

4 times the risk of

dying in a fall

The risk of dying in a

car crash

The risk of dying

 from poison

(Average indoor radon level)

(Average outdoor radon level)

WHAT TO DO:

Fix your home

Fix your home

Fix your home

Fix your home

Consider fixing

between 2 and 4 pCi/L

(Reducing

radon levels

below

2 pCi/L is

difficult)

Note: If you are a former smoker, your risk may be higher.

*Lifetime risk of lung cancer deaths from EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003).

**Comparison data calculated using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 1999-2001 National Center for Injury Prevention and Control Reports.

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007
13

RADON

MYTHS

MYTH: Scientists

aren’t sure radon

really is a problem.

FACT: Although some scientists dispute the precise number of

deaths due to radon, all major health organizations (like the

Centers for Disease Control, the American Lung Association

and the American Medical Association) agree with estimates

that radon causes thousands of preventable lung cancer

deaths every year. This is especially true among smokers,

since the risk to smokers is much greater than to nonsmokers.

MYTH: Radon testing is

difficult, time

consuming and

expensive.

FACT: Radon testing is easy. You can test your home yourself or

hire a qualified radon test company. Either approach takes

only a small amount of time and effort.

MYTH: Radon test kits are

not reliable and are

difficult to find.

FACT: Reliable test kits are available from qualified radon testers

and companies. Reliable testing devices are also available

by phone or mail-order, and can be purchased in hardware

stores and other retail outlets. Call your state radon office

(see back cover or visit www.epa.gov/radon) for help in

identifying radon testing companies.

MYTH: Homes with

radon problems

can’t be fixed.

FACT: There are simple solutions to radon problems in homes.

Hundreds of thousands of homeowners have already fixed

radon problems in their homes. Radon levels can be readily

lowered for about $800 to $2,500 (with an average cost of

$1,200). Call your state radon office (see back cover) for

help in identifying qualified mitigation contractors.

MYTH: Radon only affects

certain kinds of homes.

FACT: House construction can affect radon levels. However, radon

can be a problem in homes of all types: old homes, new

homes, drafty homes, insulated homes, homes with

basements, homes without basements. Local geology,

construction materials, and how the home was built are

among the factors that can affect radon levels in homes.

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007
14

MYTH: Radon is only a

problem in certain

parts of the country.

FACT: High radon levels have been found in every state. Radon

problems do vary from area to area, but the only way to

know your radon level is to test.

MYTH: A neighbor’s

test result is a good

indication of whether your

home has a problem.

FACT: It’s not. Radon levels can vary greatly from home to home.

The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is

to test it.

MYTH: Everyone

should test their

water for radon.

FACT: Although radon gets into some homes through water, it is

important to first test the air in the home for radon. If your

water comes from a public water system that uses ground

water, call your water supplier. If high radon levels are

found and the home has a private well, call the Safe Drinking

Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791 for information on testing

your water.

MYTH: It’s difficult to sell

homes where radon

problems have been

discovered.

FACT: Where radon problems have been fixed, home sales have

not been blocked or frustrated. The added protection is

sometimes a good selling point.

MYTH: I’ve lived in my

home for so long, it

doesn’t make sense

to take action now.

FACT: You will reduce your risk of lung cancer when you reduce

radon levels, even if you’ve lived with a radon problem for a

long time.

MYTH: Short-term tests

can’t be used for

making a decision

about whether to fix

your home.

FACT: A short-term test followed by a second short-term test* can

be used to decide whether to fix your home. However, the

closer the average of your two short-term tests is to 4 pCi/L,

the less certain you can be about whether your year-round

average is above or below that level. Keep in mind that

radon levels below 4 pCi/L still pose some risk. Radon levels

can be reduced in most homes to 2 pCi/L or below.

*If the radon test is part of a real estate transaction, the result of two short-term

tests can be used in deciding whether to mitigate. For more information, see EPA’s

“Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon.”

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007
15

FOR

FURTHER

INFORMATION

www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html

Check the above Web site for a listing

of your EPA regional office.

EPA Regional Offices

1-800-SOS-RADON (767-7236) 1-800-SOS-RADON (767-7236)

Operated by the National Safety Council in

partnership with EPA to order radon test

kits.

1-800-55RADON (557-2366) 1-800-55RADON (557-2366)

Operated by the National Safety Council in

partnership with EPA, for live help with radon

questions.

1-800-644-6999

Radon Fix-It Hotline, operated by the National

Safety council in partnership with EPA for

information on how to mitigate your home.

1-866-528-3187

Radon Hotline in Spanish, operators can be

reached 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to assist

with information about radon, or ordering a

radon test kit.

1-800-426-4791

Safe Drinking Water Hotline, operated under

contract to EPA. For information on testing,

treament, radon in water, and drinking

water standards.

Hotlines

EPA Radon Web Site

www.epa.gov/radon

EPA radon page includes links to

publications, hotlines, private

proficiency programs and more.

EPA Publications

Radon publications in print can be

downloaded via the EPA radon website

at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs

Radon publications may be ordered

through the National Service Center

for Environmental Publications (NSCEP)

by calling 1-800-490-9198, by visiting

the NSCEP website at www.epa.gov/

ncepihom, or by e-mail at nscep@bpslmit.com

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007
16

This document was prepared by the United States Environmental Protection Agency,

Indoor Environments Division (6609J), Washington, D.C. 20460

U.S. EPA 402-K-07-009, Revised May 2007

Call your state radon office for additional help with any of your radon questions. Up-to-date information on how to contact your state radon office is

also available on EPA’s Web site at www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html, or call EPA’s toll free Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse (IAQ INFO) at

(800) 438-4318 to obtain the current listing.

State Radon Offices (www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html)

Alabama

Alaska

Arizona

Arkansas

California

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

District of Columbia

Florida

Georgia

Hawaii

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland (EPA Region 3)

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Local-Toll

334-206-5391

907-474-7201

602-255-4845

501-661-2301

916-449-5674

303-692-3420

860-509-7367

302-739-4731

202-535-2999

850-245-4288

404-651-5120

808-586-4700

208-332-7319

217-782-1325

317-233-7147

515-281-4928

785-296-1560

502-564-4856

225-925-7042

207-287-5676

215-814-2086

413-586-7525

517-335-8037

651-215-0909

601-987-6893

573-751-6160

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Puerto Rico

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Local-Toll

406-841-5280

402-471-0594

775-687-5394 x275

603-271-4674

609-984-5425

505-827-1093

518-402-7556

919-571-4141

701-328-5188

614-644-2727

405-702-5165

503-731-4014 x664

717-783-3594

787-274-7815

401-222-2438

803-898-3893

605-773-3151

615-687-7000

512-834-6688

801-536-4250

802-865-7730

804-786-5932

360-236-3253

304-558-6772

608-267-4795

307-777-6015

Toll-Free

800-582-1866

800-478-8324

800-482-5400

800-745-7326

800-846-3986

800-464-4357

800-543-8279

800-745-0037

800-445-8647

800-325-1245

800-272-9723

800-383-5992

800-693-5343

800-256-2494

800-232-0842

800-RADON95

800-723-6642

800-798-9050

800-626-7739

800-628-9891

Toll-Free

800-546-0483

800-334-9491

800-852-3345 x4674

800-648-0394

800-458-1158 x27556

800-252-6325

800-523-4439

800-23RADON

800-768-0362

800-438-3367

800-232-1139

800-572-5548

800-458-0145

800-439-8550

800-468-0138

800-922-1255

888-569-7236

800-458-5847

U.S. EPA Assessment of Risks

from Radon in Homes

In June 2003, the EPA revised its risk estimates for radon

exposure in homes. EPA estimates that about 21,000 annual

lung cancer deaths are radon related. EPA also concluded that

the effects of radon and cigarette smoking are synergistic, so

that smokers are at higher risk from radon. EPA’s revised

estimates are based on the National Academy of Sciences 1998

BEIR VI (Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation) Report which

concluded that radon is the second leading cause of lung

cancer after smoking.

A Citizen’s Guide to Radon

Tribal Radon Program Offices

Hopi Tribe (Arizona)

Inter-Tribal Council of America

Navajo Nation

928-734-3100

602-307-1509

928-871-7672

Surgeon General

Health Advisory

“Indoor radon is the second-leading

cause of lung cancer in the United

States and breathing it over

prolonged periods can present a

significant health risk to families all

over the country. It’s important to

know that this threat is completely

preventable. Radon can be detected

with a simple test and fixed through

well-established venting techniques.”

January 2005