Test Your Home for Radon
April 30, 2024
Launch the media gallery 1 playerWhy Should You Test Your Home for Radon?
Nebraska has the third highest radon levels statewide in the United States. As such, radon testing is recommended in all homes in Nebraska. Conducting a radon test is the only way to know how much radon you are exposed to.
Fortunately, radon testing is easy and inexpensive, and homes that have high radon levels can be easily fixed. If a home or building has an annual average radon level of 4 pCi/L or higher, it should be mitigated to lower the radon level. The Nebraska DHHS Radon Program maintains a list of licensed radon mitigation businesses. New homes can also be built with radon resistant features during construction.
Testing Your Home
If you want to know the radon level in your own home, you can conduct a test with a do-it-yourself kit. Follow the instructions that come with the test kit and place the kit in the lowest level where you spend time, preferably in a living room or bedroom. Do not test utility rooms, laundry rooms, or kitchens. If performing a short-term test, ensure windows are kept closed and entry/exit is kept to a minimum.
| Type | When to Use It | Where to Get It | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Short Term 2-7 days |
Initial testing or retest | SHDHD or county extension offices | $8.00 |
|
Long Term 3 mos - 1 yr |
After result of a short-term test level was between 4-8 pCi/L |
Check with |
Check website |
| Continuous Monitoring | May be used for measurement in businesses or homes during construction or real estate transactions, or for a more detailed description of radon levels over time. | Licensed radon measurement specialist | Ask for quote |
Check for Radon Before You Buy a Home
Testing for radon during the sale of a home is an opportune time to determine if the home you are purchasing has elevated levels of radon. While it is not required for a real estate transaction in Nebraska, this is an ideal time to request testing. For these circumstances, you might consider using a licensed radon measurement business to conduct the test.
Has Your School or Workplace Been Tested?
Radon testing in schools, offices, and other workplaces must be conducted by a licensed radon measurement business. The Environmental Protection Agency and the American Lung Association recommend that all schools be tested for radon, and the Nebraska Radon Program will test a small number of schools each year free of charge.