Testing for Radon
Tennessee State Radon Page
Test Kit Information Page: Free Radon Test Kit from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
Radon Gas in Tennessee
The US Surgeon General strongly urges everyone in the US to test for Radon gas.
Although certain areas of the state have higher levels of radon then others, radon has been detected in every county in Tennessee. The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) recommends you test your home for radon. There are no exceptions! Every home in Tennessee should be tested.
The EPA recommends that you retest your home every two years. Free test kits can be obtained from the Tennesee Radon Program by using the Online Test Kit Request Form, or by calling the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
Levels between 4-20 pCi/l are very common. Homes are only occasionally far above 20 pCi/l, however we have fixed Tennessee* homes with continuous spikes over 80 pCi/L. It would take approximately 2,500 radon atoms per square inch to create a radon concentration of 4pCi/L.
You cannot estimate radon levels based upon the homes age, location, design or test results from a neighbor's home.
- There are no symptoms from radon exposure.
- You can't see radon.
- And you cannot smell it or taste it.
All homes should be tested in a real estate transaction, regardless if they have a radon reduction system. Homes with radon systems should be retested at least every two years.
Radon is measured in PicoCuries per Liter of Air, (pCi/L). Pico = one trillionth.
1pCi/L = 2.22 decays per minute per liter of air. So then, 4pCi/L equals 10 decays per liter of air per minute.
Testing is the only way to know.
About 1 in 15 homes across the United States is estimated to have Radon levels exceeding the EPA's action level. One in every 5 homes in Tennessee* are believed to be above the acceptable EPA limit. The only way to know if a home has a problem with radon gas is to test.
Free test kits can be obtained from the Tennesee Radon Program by using the Online Test Kit Request Form, or by calling the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).
References: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC)
