Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Test your home today!
Did we contact you about your radon testing requirements? If we did, please carefully read what we sent you and see these frequently asked questions and answers before calling our office.
Sign up for your Free Test Kit (Invalid for mandatory testing)
You can’t see it, smell it or taste it. Radon, a Class A carcinogen, is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. Radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths a year (one every 25 minutes) in the U.S. In Florida, one in five homes tested has elevated radon levels above the action level of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L). Elevated radon levels have been found in all types of buildings, including manufactured homes, schools, and high-rise condominiums.
Radon comes from the radioactive breakdown of naturally occurring radium found in most soils. As a gas in the soil, it enters or is pulled into buildings through small openings in the foundation. Since the building can hold the radon similarly to smoke trapped under a glass, indoor radon concentrations can increase to many times that of outdoor levels. The only way to know the radon levels in your home is to test. Contact us at 1-800-543-8279 or PHToxicology@FLHealth.gov*.
*Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing (F.S. 668.6076).
Testing Requirements, Recommendations, Other Links
TEST your home Today!
The World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have announced a call to action for Americans to test their homes for radon gas, which has been identified as the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in the U.S. The Florida Department of Health is working with the EPA in a nationwide campaign to educate Americans about the dangers of radon exposure and to encourage them to take action to protect their homes and families. The EPA has also received the support of former and current NFL players like Fuad Reveiz (formerly with the Minnesota Vikings) who supports radon resistant construction, as well as Chester Pitts (with the Seattle Seahawks) who supports testing for radon (watch the video).
How to Test your home: View a list of Florida certified radon measurement businesses offering Radon Measurement kits and Analytical Laboratory Services, or contact Florida certified radon measurement businesses. These businesses use National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) and/or National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) radon proficient devices. You may also order radon test kits from the National Radon Program Services.
Radon Public Service Announcements and other links.
Please refer to this flowchart to help decide what to do after you have your radon testing results. When multiple tests are performed, the cummulative results can be interpreted using a time-weighted average of all the results.
Mandatory School Testing
Information for Schools and Other Facilities Regarding Mandatory Radon Measurements
New Construction, Radon/Radiation and Granite Counter Tops
Radon Resistant New Construction:
List of construction contractors that attended the Department of Health’s sponsored Florida Homebuilders Association awareness trainings on radon resistant new construction (RRNC) techniques of the Florida Statewide Building Code. This training is designed to familiarize construction professionals with the elements of the code. Their individual experience and expertise is what will provide them with the skills to apply the codes to radon resistant new construction.
Information on Radon/Radiation and granite counter tops
About radiation (400 KB PDF)
National Radon Action Month
National Radon Action Month
EPA has designated January as National Radon Action Month (NRAM). The aim of NRAM is to increase the public’s awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radon-resistant new construction practices. The Leon County Commission wrote a proclamation on NRAM December, 2015 and in 2016 proclaiming January as radon action month. Four Things You Can Do During National Radon Action Month:
- Test your home – EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that all homes in the U.S. be tested for radon. Testing is easy and inexpensive.
- Spread the word – spend time during National Radon Action Month encouraging others to learn about radon and test their homes.
- Tell your family and friends about the health risk of radon. Encourage them to test their homes.
- Plan an activity in your community to help raise awareness. Use the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD)’s National Radon Action Month Event Planning Kit as a guide.
- Write a letter to the editor. View tips and a sample letters to the editor from CRCPD’s National Radon Action Month Event Planning Kit.
- Attract media attention by working with a local official to get a radon proclamation.
- Buy a radon-resistant home – If you are considering buying a new home, look for builders who use radon-resistant new construction. Read more about radon-resistant new construction, “Building Radon Out: A Step-by-Step Guide to Build Radon-Resistant Homes“.
Contact your state radon program for information about radon testing, mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction.
National Radon Poster and Florida Video Contests
The National Radon Poster Contest is an annual event for students 10-14 years old, sponsored by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This year Florida is hosting a Video Contest for 14-18-year-olds, as well. Both contests aim to raise awareness about the harmful effects of elevated indoor radon levels. The contest goals include increasing the number of homes tested for radon and educating people about reducing radon levels at home.
Let’s hope we also have a national radon video and poster contest winner this year. For additional information visit our Poster Contest Page for entry requirements, and to view previous Florida winners.
Visit our Poster Contest Page.