Radon Gas Map for United States (see bottom of page for World Map)
(see below for radon gas information)
(EPA, 2012)
About Radon Gas and Levels in Above Map
(EPA, 2013; access link for citation below for more information)
"EPA estimates that about 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. are radon-related. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. Because there is no known safe level of exposure to radon, EPA also recommends that Americans consider fixing their home for radon levels between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L. The average radon concentration in the indoor air of America's homes is about 1.3 pCi/L. It is upon this level that EPA based its estimate of 20,000 radon-related lung cancers a year upon. It is for this simple reason that EPA recommends that Americans consider fixing their homes when the radon level is between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L." (EPA, 2013)
About Testing for and Mitigation Radon Gas
Radon gas levels in a structure can be tested by private businesses, by purchasing a testing kit at a store, or by acquiring testing supplies from a public agenncy if funded. Short or long term testing can be performed. Mitigating radon gas is a relatively simple procedure if a house is built on a slab over gravel. Suction by a fan is produced under the slab (by whatever method is more suitable for a particular structure) and the air from under the house is exhausted by pipe above the structure and far enough away from windows. Radon levels are typically highest in the lowest level of the house but the radon can migrate through upper level of the house. If a house is not built on a slab over gravel, mitigation typically becomes more complicated. Contact your local professional or relevant government agency (commonly the health department) for advice and information.
References
EPA. 2013. Why is radon the public health risk that it is? Last updated: 3/19/2013. Cited at: http://www.epa.gov/radon/aboutus.html (outside website; opens in new tab)
EPA. 2012. EPA Map of Radon Zones. Last updated: 9/11/2012. Cited at: http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html (outside website; opens in new tab)
UO. 2007. R. Samuel McLaughlin Centre for Population Health Risk Assessment. University of Ottawa, Canada; World Map of National Residential Radon Levels. Based on data up to 2007. Cited at: http://www.mclaughlincentre.ca/research/map.shtml (outside website; opens in new tab)