Tennessee Homeowners & Radon

How do I test my home for radon?
(Sign-up Sheet for free home Radon test kit)

When I tested, my levels were less than 4 pCi/L.
What do I do now?

When I tested, my levels were over 4 pCi/L.
What do I do now?

How do I locate someone who is qualified to
reduce radon levels in houses?

How do I test my home for radon?

More information on testing your home for radon is contained in EPA's "A Citizen's Guide to Radon".

The only way to determine the level of radon in your home is to have it tested. There are two ways to test your home:

» Do it yourself
» Hire a certified tester

Do it yourself tests

For home use, "do-it-yourself" kits are available at many home improvement stores, by mail order, and from the American Lung Association. The National Safety Council also distributes testing kits and can be reached at 1-800-767-7236.

Be sure you follow the directions on the test kit. However, here are some tips for making sure you have a good test.

Tips on how to use radon test kits

» Follow the instructions that come with your test kit.
» Close all windows and outside doors at least 12 hours before beginning the test.
» Place in the lowest lived-in level of the home. For example, place it in the basement if it is frequently used. If the basement is not used for regular living, place it in a room on the first floor.
» Place it in a room that is used regularly such as a living room, play room, den or bedroom.
» Do not place the test kit in your kitchen or bathroom.
» Place the kit at least 20 inches above the floor in a location where it won't be disturbed.
» Place it 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.
» Immediately send it to the lab specified on the package for study. You should receive your test results within a few weeks.

EPA-recommended testing procedure

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

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

» For 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 several times the action level - for example, about 10 pCi/L or higher - 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 long-term test result is 4 pCi/L or more.

If you followed up with a second short-term test, the procedure is slightly different. 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.

Hire a certified tester

If you choose to have someone else test for you, a certified professional should be hired.It is important that you hire someone who is certified in order to ensure the quality of your test. As a consumer, this is the best way you can protect yourself.

Certified professional testers can be found on the National Environmental Health Association, National Radon Proficiency Program site at http://www.radongas.org/.

When I tested, my levels were less than 4 pCi/L. What do I do now?

After testing your home, the next step depends on the test results. Since radon is hazardous even in the smallest quantities, it is best to have the lowest level possible. EPA established acceptable levels to be 4 pCi/L or 0.02 WL. More information about EPA's acceptable level of radon can be found on the Environmental Health Center site at http://www.nsc.org/ehc/radon/rad_faqs.htm#3.

Save your test results.
In the event you sell your home, you may need this information. Otherwise, you may want to re-test in the future since radon levels do not remain constant.

If you renovate your home or have an addition, be sure to re-test. If you add onto your home, be sure to think about using radon-resistant construction techniques.

When I tested, my levels were over 4 pCi/L. What do I do now?

It depends on what the results were.

» If the test results in levels of 4 pCi/L or higher, a follow-up measurement should be taken.

» If the level is 10 pCi/L (0.05 WL) or higher, you should immediately take a short-term test. After you obtain those results, average the two results. If this average is greater than 4 pCi/L, then mitigation is highly recommended.

» If the initial measurement resulted in between 4 pCi/L and 10 pCi/L, you may choose a short- or long-term follow up test. If either results are greater than 4 pCi/L, mitigation is again recommended.

How do I locate someone who is qualified to reduce radon levels in houses?

EPA recommends that you have a qualified contractor fix your home because lowering high radon levels requires specific technical knowledge and special skills. That person is called a mitigator. Using a certified mitigator helps ensure that radon levels in your home are actually lowered. Without the proper equipment or technical knowledge, your radon levels could be increased or you could create other potential hazards. To learn more about mitigating your home, EPA has published a "Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction: How to reduce radon levels in your home."

Tennessee does not have a state-certification program for radon testers and mitigators. However, it is recommended that you contract with someone who has been trained and passed EPA's Radon Contractor Proficiency (RCP) Program. RCP contractors carry a current RCP photo identification card and they are required to follow EPA standards to make sure their work meets minimum standards of quality. For a list of certified mitigators in your area, visit the National Environmental Health Association, National Radon Proficiency Program site at http://www.radongas.org.

For guidance on how to select a contractor, what to look for in a radon reduction system, verifying that your contractor's work meets RCP requirements and living in a house with a radon reduction system, EPA has published a "Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction: How to reduce radon levels in your home."