The importance of radon testing in Pennsylvania
Testing is the only way to establish the radon level in your home. Radon is a radioactive gas you cannot see, smell or taste. Long-term exposure increases lung-cancer risk. The EPA estimates about 21,000 radon-related lung-cancer deaths per year across the United States; this is a national risk estimate, not a death count for Pennsylvania.
According to Pennsylvania DEP, approximately 40% of homes tested in Pennsylvania had radon above 4 pCi/L. This statewide testing summary does not establish the percentage of affected homes in an individual city, county or neighborhood.
| Scope | Figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania tested homes | About 40% above 4 pCi/L | Statewide DEP summary of tested homes, not a local prevalence estimate. |
| EPA action level | 4 pCi/L or higher | Reduce radon when the result is established under the appropriate testing protocol. |
| EPA lower-level guidance | 2 to below 4 pCi/L | Consider reduction. The action level is not a boundary between risk and no risk. |
Which county radon zones apply to the places listed here?
Zone 1: Adams, Allegheny, Berks, Blair, Bucks, Centre, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster, Lycoming, York; Zone 3: Philadelphia. These are the EPA classifications for the counties containing the listed cities.
| County | EPA zone and predicted level | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Adams County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| Allegheny County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| Berks County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| Blair County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| Bucks County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| Centre County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| Cumberland County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| Dauphin County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| Lancaster County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| Lycoming County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| Philadelphia County | Zone 3: below 2 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
| York County | Zone 1: above 4 pCi/L | EPA predicted average indoor screening level for the county, not a current city average or a home test. |
Source: EPA Pennsylvania map, a county planning map developed in 1993. All homes need their own tests, including homes in Zone 3. For reported measurements, consult PA DEP ZIP-code radon reports and check the reporting period, floor level and sample size. A ZIP average is not an individual property result.
How can you test a home in Pennsylvania?
Use a home radon test kit or hire a Pennsylvania-certified radon testing provider. Choose the method for the purpose of the test, particularly if a property transaction has a required protocol.
- Home test kit: follow the device instructions for placement, exposure time and building conditions. For a laboratory-analyzed kit, return it to the specified laboratory as instructed.
- Professional testing: verify the testing certification category in the PA DEP Radon Services Directory. A mitigation credential alone does not establish testing certification.
- After mitigation: test again to measure the result. A running fan or pressure indicator does not measure radon concentration.
The radon testing guide explains test duration and follow-up. DEP also lists eligibility-based test-kit programs; check the program conditions before assuming a free kit is available.
Health, testing and action-level sources checked September 22, 2026: EPA health risk, EPA action guidance and PA DEP home testing information. pCi/L means picocuries per liter.
How much should you budget for radon mitigation in Pennsylvania?
$800 to $1,200 per system is Pennsylvania DEP’s typical statewide installation range from January 2026. Use it as a starting point for a home in Pennsylvania. Multiple foundation areas, crawl-space membranes and difficult vent routes can increase the work.
Home test kits cost about $20 to $30 each. The full cost breakdown also covers electricity, replacement fans and a first-year budget example.
Source: PA DEP 2026 cost guidance. These are state benchmarks, not a measured city price average.
Which type of radon service do you need?
Testing measures exposure, installation reduces it, and repair addresses an existing system. Choose the service that matches the property’s current situation.
| Your situation | Service needed | Listed provider information |
|---|---|---|
| No usable radon result | Radon testing | Enviroquest, Indoor Air Surgeons, Oak Leaf Environmental, Radon Protection Services of Gettysburg, RVS Radon Mitigation |
| Confirmed elevated result | Mitigation assessment and installation | Enviroquest, Indoor Air Surgeons, Oak Leaf Environmental, Radon Protection Services of Gettysburg, Radon X, LLC, RVS Radon Mitigation |
| Fan problem or elevated result with an existing system | System assessment or repair | Enviroquest, Oak Leaf Environmental, Radon Protection Services of Gettysburg |