North Carolina Radon Program
Should you test for radon?
The North Carolina Radon Program recommends that every home should be tested for radon. Homeowners in 66 of the 100 North Carolina Counties may also want to consider testing both their indoor air and their private well water for radionuclides (radon, urarium, gross alpha particles and gross beta particles). You may learn more by consulting your county map and guidance.
The following video is also available in Spanish, Cantonese, Chinese, French, German, Hindi, and American Sign Language.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless and chemically inert radioactive gas. It is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil and water. Testing for radon is the only way to know how much is present in a building.
The North Carolina Radon Program is a program of the NC Radiation Protection Section that works to reduce the incidence of radon-induced lung cancer statewide through education.
The purpose of the North Carolina Radon Program is to:
- Increase awareness of the source and health impacts of radon exposure
- Provide resources that assist North Carolinians with testing indoor radon levels
- Empower North Carolinians with information on how to lower radon levels
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. An estimated 21,000 people nationally die each year from radon-induced lung cancer. 450 North Carolinians are estimated to die each year due to radon-induced lung cancer.
Data provided by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that 77 of the100 counties in North Carolina have radon indoor air levels above action level of 4 pCi/L.
Learn how children are more vulnerable to radon than adults.
Learn how pets are vulnerable to radon.
Reducing the incidence of radon-induced lung cancer is a priority issue of the NC Cancer Control Plan and the NC State Health Improvement Plan.
Order a Radon Test Kit
All free radon test kits have been distributed. You may purchase a discounted radon test kit by visiting the link below. Free kits were made possible from a grant by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The NC DHHS Radon Program hopes to provide this free service again in January 2026.
Complaint About Radon Testing and/or Mitigation
If you believe you have been wronged by a radon testing or mitigation company, please report your complaint to the North Carolina Attorney General.
Finance Your Radon Mitigation System
Radon Mitigation: FSA Eligibility
If a medical professional recommends radon mitigation due to it causing a medical condition from being in a home, the cost of mitigation is eligible with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) and eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA) or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Radon mitigation reimbursement is not eligible with a limited-purpose flexible spending account (LPFSA) or a dependent care flexible spending account (DCFSA).
Proficiency Program Regulations
The North Carolina Radon Program is presently developing a Radon Proficiency Program as directed by Session Law 2023-91 House Bill 782. Please contact Catherine Rosfjord for additional information catherine.rosfjord@dhhs.nc.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Some North Carolina homes have radon mitigation systems that were installed in the 1990s. Radon mitigation fans are generally warrantied for 5 years. The recommendation is to test your home at most every five years, whether or not you have a radon mitigation system. This will help you determine if your system is keeping indoor radon levels low.
Yes. All home types should test for radon. This includes condos, town homes, homes with crawl spaces, homes on a slab, manufactured and modular homes, and apartments.
Probably not. At this time, the EPA does not believe sufficient data exists to conclude that the types of granite commonly used in countertops are significantly increasing indoor radon levels.