Radon testing in Tennessee: a plain-English guide
Radon has no smell, color or symptoms. A test is the only way to know your level. Here is how to test, what the number means and what to do next.
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How do you test a Tennessee home for radon?
Order the free short-term kit from the Tennessee Radon Program (one per household, lab analysis included) or hire a certified tester. Place the test in the lowest lived-in level, away from the kitchen and bathroom, with windows and outside doors closed. At 4 pCi/L or higher, EPA says to confirm the result and fix your home.
Why test for radon at all?
Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It moves up through the ground and into homes through cracks and other openings in the foundation.[EPA] Breathing it over years raises the risk of lung cancer; Tennessee's radon program calls it the leading cause of lung cancer among people who have never smoked.[TN] EPA and the Surgeon General recommend testing all homes below the third floor.[EPA]
In Tennessee, about 1 in 4 homes tested through the state's free-kit program come back above EPA's 4 pCi/L action level, and action-level results have turned up in every county.[TDEC] Check your county on our radon-by-county table, but test either way.
What are my radon testing options?
1. Free do-it-yourself kit
The Tennessee Radon Program (part of TDEC) mails one free short-term kit per household, with lab analysis included. Order online or call 1-800-232-1139.[TDEC]
2. Professional test
A certified tester places a device for you, often a continuous monitor, and gives you a written report. It costs more (see our cost guide) but is common in real-estate deals, when a documented result is needed quickly.
How do I run an accurate radon test?
- Pick the spot: the lowest lived-in level of the home (the basement if you use it often, otherwise the first floor), in a room used regularly but not the kitchen or bathroom.[EPA]
- Close the house: for a 2- or 3-day test, close windows and outside doors at least 12 hours before you start and keep them closed during the test, apart from normal coming and going.[EPA]
- Avoid storms: EPA advises against 2- or 3-day tests during unusually severe storms or high winds.[EPA]
- Note the times and mail it promptly: write down when the test started and ended, and send it to the lab right away, following the kit's directions.
What does my radon result mean?
| Result | What EPA says |
|---|---|
| 4 pCi/L or higher | Fix your home. (Confirm a short-term result with a follow-up test first.) |
| 2 – 4 pCi/L | Consider fixing. |
| Under 2 pCi/L | Reducing levels further is difficult. Keep retesting every few years. |
Source: EPA A Citizen's Guide to Radon (PDF); retest timing: EPA Tribal IAQ Resource Directory: Radon
What if my radon level is high?
In most cases the fix is a system of vent pipe and fan that keeps radon from entering through the floor and vents it outside; similar systems work for crawl-space homes. EPA does not recommend sealing cracks alone.[EPA] EPA says such a system generally takes a day or less to install.[EPA]
After installation, test again: EPA's consumer guide says within 30 days, but no sooner than 24 hours after the system starts running.[EPA]
Should I test before buying or selling a home?
EPA recommends testing before you list and fixing high levels first, since it gives you more time. Keep the results and repair records; EPA says they "could be a positive selling point."[EPA]
What else do people ask about radon tests?
How long does a radon test take?
Short-term tests stay in the home for 2 to 90 days, depending on the device; long-term tests stay more than 90 days. (EPA)
Where do I put the test?
In the lowest lived-in level of the home, in a room used regularly, but not the kitchen or bathroom. (EPA)
How often should I retest?
EPA recommends testing at least every 5 years, and at least every 2 years if you have a mitigation system. (EPA)