By Margaret Henderson
According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services website, Nebraska has “a very high incidence of radon in homes; over half of radon tests in the state are above the (EPA) action level of 4.0 pCi/L.” The website provides maps and tables of radon test results in an effort to assist organizations to target their resources and to implement radon-resistant building codes.
The data displayed is helpful to residents who would like to see what levels have been found in their areas, even though, as the website notes, regardless of geographic area, each home should be tested because elevated levels have been found in all areas of the state.
With a database of more than 100,000 test results, collected over the past 15 years or more, the Radon Program is able to provide considerable detail about the prevalence of radon in Nebraska. Laboratories and mitigation and measurement specialists report data monthly, per the state regulations. Typically, the Radon Program updates the data on a two-year basis.
Average levels by county are mapped, updated with data through 2013, on http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Documents/RadonConcentrationsByCountyNoZones.pdf
Highest radon results by county show that seven counties had reported levels exceeding 100 pCi/L. Most of the state exceeds the 4 pCi/L level.
http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Documents/RadonHighestResultByCounty.pdf
Accompanying tables show by city and by county:
• Number of homes tested;
• Average radon level;
• Highest results;
• Number of homes greater than 4 pCi/L; and
• Percentage of homes greater than 4 pCi/L.
Testing and removal is also discussed on the website that provides extensive information about testing, mitigation, radon in existing homes and building radon resistant homes. http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/radon_radonremoval.aspx
For more information, contact:
Jeremy Poell
Radon Hotline: 800-334-9491
DHHS.HealthHazardsIndoorAir@nebraska.gov
http://dhhs.ne.gov/publichealth/Pages/radon_general.aspx
United States