Radon FAQ: Testing, Mitigation & EPA Guidelines in Georgia | Georgia Radon Pros

Question 1

What is radon gas?

Accepted Answer

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that naturally forms as uranium, thorium, and radium break down in soil, rock, and groundwater. It can enter homes through foundation cracks, gaps, and crawl spaces where it builds up indoors. While small amounts exist everywhere, higher concentrations indoors can pose serious health risks, making radon testing and mitigation essential for safe indoor air.

Question 2

Where does radon originate?

Accepted Answer

Radon-222 forms as radium-226 breaks down, both of which are part of the natural uranium-238 decay chain. Because uranium is found throughout the earth's crust, radium-226 and radon-222 exist in nearly all soils, rocks, and groundwater. Radon levels in soil vary widely, often measuring from hundreds to several thousand picocuries per liter (pCi/L). How much radon enters a home depends on factors like soil type, porosity, moisture, weather, and the home's air pressure.

Question 3

How does radon gas make its way into buildings?

Accepted Answer

Radon is an invisible, radioactive gas created by the natural breakdown of uranium found in most soils. It moves upward from the ground and can seep into homes through foundation cracks, gaps, and other openings. Once inside, radon can accumulate to unsafe levels because homes trap the gas indoors. Any home — new or old, tightly insulated or drafty, with or without a basement — can have elevated radon levels. While soil gas is the primary source, radon can also enter through well water.

Question 4

What is the EPA's recommended radon action level and what does it mean for homeowners?

Accepted Answer

Radon is present everywhere — in both outdoor air and inside buildings. While outdoor levels are generally low (around 0.4 pCi/L), radon can build up indoors to much higher concentrations. The EPA advises taking action if your home tests at or above 4 pCi/L (150 Bq/m³), and even recommends considering mitigation between 2–4 pCi/L (75–150 Bq/m³), since no level of radon exposure is completely risk-free. The average U.S. home has about 1.3 pCi/L of radon, and based on this, the EPA estimates radon contributes to roughly 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year.

Question 5

Is radon mitigation effective?

Accepted Answer

Radon mitigation systems are highly effective — many can lower radon levels in a home by as much as 99%. In most cases, reducing radon is comparable in cost to other common household repairs, though the final price depends on your home's size, layout, and the system installed. The best way to know your exact cost is to request a quote from a certified radon mitigation contractor. Across the U.S., hundreds of thousands of homeowners have successfully lowered radon levels and made their homes safer.

Question 6

Why does radon need to be discharged above the home's roofline?

Accepted Answer

Radon gas is much heavier than air — about 7.5 times denser — yet it moves easily with changes in air pressure and circulation. In homes with forced air heating or cooling, radon can spread quickly throughout the entire living space. That's why mitigation systems are designed to vent radon above the roofline, where concentrations drop sharply within just a few feet of the discharge point, returning to normal background levels. The EPA does not allow ground-level venting because radon could be pulled back into the home or expose people nearby, especially children.

Question 7

How often should buildings or homes be tested or retested for radon levels?

Accepted Answer

You should test your home or office every 2 years. If your home or office has never been tested, do so immediately. If there is new construction or renovations being done, test before and after. If there is increased use of a lower level — such as converting a basement to a bedroom, office, or workshop — test the area to see the radon levels you may be exposed to. If you are buying or selling a residential home, test before the sale.

Question 8

How much does radon mitigation cost in Georgia?

Accepted Answer

Radon mitigation costs in Georgia typically range from $800 to $2,500 depending on your home's foundation type (slab, crawl space, or basement), size, and the complexity of the system required. Sub-slab depressurization — the most common method — averages $1,000–$1,800 for a standard single-family home. Georgia Radon Pros provides free estimates. The cost of mitigation is far less than the long-term health risk of living with elevated radon levels.

Question 9

Does Georgia have high radon levels?

Accepted Answer

Yes. North Georgia — particularly the mountainous counties including Cherokee, Pickens, Dawson, Lumpkin, Union, and Gilmer — sits on granite-rich bedrock that naturally produces elevated radon. The EPA classifies several North Georgia counties as Zone 1 (highest radon potential, average indoor levels above 4 pCi/L). Statewide, approximately 1 in 5 Georgia homes tests above the EPA action level. Testing is the only way to know your home's actual radon level.

Question 10

Do I need a radon test when buying or selling a home in Georgia?

Accepted Answer

While Georgia does not legally require radon testing for real estate transactions, it is strongly recommended by the EPA, the American Lung Association, and most real estate professionals. Many buyers now request radon tests as part of the home inspection process. A certified radon test provides a 48-hour result that is accepted by lenders, inspectors, and buyers. If levels are elevated, a mitigation system can be installed before closing — often negotiated as a seller concession.

Question 11

What is sub-slab depressurization and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

Sub-slab depressurization (SSD) is the most widely used and effective radon mitigation method. A licensed contractor drills one or more suction holes through the concrete slab, inserts a PVC pipe, and connects it to a continuously running fan. The fan creates negative pressure beneath the slab, drawing radon-laden soil gas out before it can enter the home and venting it safely above the roofline. Most SSD systems reduce radon levels by 90–99% and are installed in a single day.

Question 12

Can radon enter a home through well water?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Homes on private wells in high-radon areas can have radon dissolved in their water supply. When you run a shower, faucet, or dishwasher, radon is released from the water into the air — a process called off-gassing. The EPA estimates that waterborne radon contributes about 1–2% of total indoor radon in most homes, but in areas with very high well-water radon, the contribution can be significant. Georgia Radon Pros offers well water radon testing and can install aeration or granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment systems.

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