In Florida, one in five homes tested had elevated radon levels above the action level of 4 pCi/L. Elevated radon levels have been found in all types of Florida buildings, including manufactured homes, schools, and high-rise condominiums. In order to reduce the burden of cancer in Florida, the Cancer Plan includes radon issues.
Included in the Prevention and Risk Reduction goals is Goal 9:
“Reduce radon gas exposure in all Florida households, workplaces, and other buildings.”
Objectives for reducing radon include objectives for testing and mitigation, adoption of radon resistance new construction standards, and increases in radon testing in real estate transactions as follows:
Objective 9.1:
By 2025, increase the annual number of homes measured for radon from 11,570 to 14,080 homes (increase by 4% annually).
Objective 9.2:
By 2025, increase the annual number of homes mitigated for radon from 1,190 to 1,440 homes (increase by 4% annually).
Objective 9.3:
By 2025, increase the number of local jurisdictions that have adopted radon resistant construction standards from 8 to 13 jurisdictions (increase by 10% annually).
Objective 9.4:
By 2025, increase the number of Florida real estate transactions that include radon testing from 6,500 to 7,500 in five years (increase by 3% annually).
Strategies include the following:
• Educate the Florida public, real estate professionals, builders, and healthcare providers about radon as a modifiable risk factor for cancer, certified methods for measuring radon in homes and buildings, how to access locational radon sampling results in their communities, and certified methods of mitigating high radon levels.
• Incentive compliance for facility types, such as schools and assisted living facilities, in locations that require radon testing.
• Enact local construction ordinances that include radon-resistant language.
• Support the development and implementation of system changes that increasing the number of buildings tested for radon level and facilitating radon mitigation when radon levels exceed the EPA action level.
The plan suggests that individuals can contribute to radon reduction by
Testing for radon level in your home and contacting someone to reduce the radon if levels are high. Elected officials are encouraged to enact local construction ordinances that include radon-resistant language.
For more information about radon in Florida, contact:
Telephone: 850-245-4288 - in Florida 800-543-8279
phtoxicology@flhealth.gov
Florida Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Health, Radon Program
United States