North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources

NC Radon Program

       NC Radon RPS

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Frequently Asked Questions
Program Overview    
Radon Basics I don't have a basement, do I still need to test?
Radon Testing I don't live in a "high" Radon area, do I still need to test?
Measurement Providers My neighbors have low test results, do I still need to test?
Mitigation Providers Is Radon a serious health problem?
Radon Reduction How long does it take to test for Radon?
Radon & Real Estate My test result is greater than 4 pCi/L, what do I do now?
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NC Indoor Radon Grant  
Top of Page "I don't have a basement, so do I still need to test my home for a radon problem?"
Radon can seep in from soil anywhere around or under a home, regardless of whether your home has a basement, a crawl space, or is built slab-on-grade. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General recommend radon testing for all types of homes at or below the third floor.
 

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 "Do I still need to test my home if I don't live in an area designated as a high radon zone?"
Various federal and state agencies have conducted radon surveys in North Carolina. In addition, the EPA has broken the state down into three zones according to their potential for high indoor radon levels, with Zone 1 having the highest radon potential. Homes in Zones 1 and 2 have a statistically higher chance of having elevated levels of radon. However, elevated levels of radon have been found in homes in many counties in North Carolina. The only way to know for sure if you have a radon problem, and to protect your family from radon, is to test your home.
Top of Page "Two of my neighbors have tested their homes for radon and they don't have high levels, so do I still need to test?"
Radon levels can vary considerably from house to house, even on the same street. It is nearly impossible to predict the exact nature of geologic soil deposits and the extent to which soil gasses will seep into and be retained by a specific house. The only way to know whether radon exists in elevated levels in your home, and to protect your family from radon, is to test.
Top of Page "Is there much proof that radon is a serious health problem?"
The science on radon has been formidable over the years, but never before have we had such overwhelming scientific consensus that exposure to elevated levels of radon causes lung cancer in humans. In February of 1998, the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) presented the findings of their Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) VI Report: "The Health Effects of Exposure to Indoor Radon." This new report by the NAS is the most definitive accumulation of scientific data on indoor radon. The report confirms that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and that it is a serious public health problem. The study fully supports U.S. EPA estimates that radon causes about 15,000 lung cancer deaths per year.
Top of Page "How long does it take to test for Radon? I don't have much time!"
Testing is as simple as opening a package, placing a radon detector in your home in a designated area, and, after the prescribed number of days, sealing the detector back in the package and mailing it to a lab. The whole process only takes a few minutes of your time!
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"My first test result is greater than 4 pCi/L, what do I do now?
 If your first testing of your home was with a short term test... and the result is greater than 4 pCi/L, it is suggested that you perform another radon test in the same area.  If you are in a time crunch (ie: for a real estate transaction) then perform a short-term test in the same place again.  Then average the results of the 2 tests.  If the average is below 4 pCi/L, then continue retesting your home every 2 years.  If the average is above 4 pCi/L, consult with a certified mitigator regarding your next step.  I you have the time available, it is suggested that you perform a long-term test as your second test.  This test lasts over 91 days and provides an excellent measurement of the radon concentration in your home because it takes into account weather fluctuations and radon concentration fluctuations that occur in your home.  If this result is over 4 pCi/L, consult with a certified mitigator regarding your next step.

If the first testing of your home was with a long-term test and the result is greater than 4 pCi/L, it is suggested that you perform another radon test in the same area.  You can use a short term test.  If the results of both tests or the average of both tests are greater than 4 pCi/L, consult with a certified mitigator regarding your next step.  If the result is less than 4 pCI/L, continue testing your home every 2 years.
If you have any suggestions or comments regarding Radon or this website, please contact Radon Coordinator.
NCDENR. Radiation Protection Section. 1645 Mail Service Center. Raleigh, NC 27699-1645 .
Office (919)571-4141        Fax (919)571-4148              E-mail Us