Radon is invisible, odorless, and tasteless, and according to the EPA, it's the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, behind only smoking. For non-smokers, it's the leading cause. If you live in New Jersey, you can't afford to skip a radon test.
What Is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It forms when uranium in soil and rock breaks down, and it seeps up through foundations into the air inside homes. Because radon is invisible and has no smell, the only way to know if a home has dangerous levels is to test for it.
Radon Levels in New Jersey: What the Data Shows
The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) classifies every county in the state as either Tier 1, Tier 2, or Tier 3 based on radon risk. Many counties, including Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, and parts of Morris, are in Tier 1, meaning a high potential for elevated radon. But the truth is, dangerous radon levels have been found in every NJ county, including South Jersey.
The EPA estimates that about 1 in 5 New Jersey homes has radon at or above the action level of 4.0 pCi/L. The only way to know whether your home is one of them is to test.
The EPA Action Level: 4.0 pCi/L
The EPA recommends taking action to reduce radon if a home tests at or above 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Some experts argue mitigation should be considered as low as 2.0 pCi/L since no level of radon is truly safe. Whatever your number, knowing it is the first step.
How a Radon Test Works
A professional radon test is straightforward:
- Step 1, Placement. A calibrated continuous radon monitor is placed in the lowest livable level of the home (typically the basement or ground floor).
- Step 2, 48-Hour Test. The home must be kept under closed-house conditions, windows and doors closed except for normal entry and exit, for a minimum of 48 hours.
- Step 3, Report. The monitor is retrieved and produces a detailed report showing average radon levels and whether mitigation is recommended.
At C&C Home Inspections, a radon test costs $150, and it's commonly bundled with a full home inspection during a real estate transaction.
What If My NJ Home Has High Radon?
High radon is fixable. A licensed mitigation contractor can install an active soil depressurization (ASD) system, essentially a fan and vent pipe that draws radon out from beneath the foundation and exhausts it safely above the roof line. Mitigation typically costs $1,200 to $2,500 and reduces radon by 90% or more.
If you're buying a home, you can negotiate radon mitigation into the purchase contract. If you're selling, getting ahead of the issue protects your deal from falling apart at the eleventh hour.
Should You Get a Radon Test in NJ?
Yes. The EPA and the NJDEP both recommend that every home in New Jersey be tested for radon, regardless of county, regardless of whether it has a basement, and regardless of whether a neighbor's home tested low. Radon levels can vary dramatically house to house, even on the same street.
Book Your NJ Radon Test
C&C Home Inspections offers certified radon testing across New Jersey, performed by a Certified Professional Inspector with calibrated equipment.