Governor Phil Murphy • Lt.Governor Tahesha Way
NJ Home | Departments/Agencies | FAQs  
State of New Jersey-Department of Environmental Protection-Radiation Protection Element
State of New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection
DEP Home | About DEP | Index by Topic | Programs/Units | DEP Online 
 





NJ DEP Celebrates Radon Action Month!

Governor Murphy proclaimed January Radon Action Month, coinciding with a national initiative dedicated to promoting radon awareness, testing and mitigation, and radon resistant new construction. Radon testing is easy! The best time to test for radon is during the heating season, so January is the perfect time. Long term or chronic exposure to radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second-leading cause of lung cancer among smokers (after smoking) according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The greater the concentration and the longer a person is exposed, the greater the risk of developing lung cancer. Check with your municipal or county health department for free radon test kits or purchase a test kit from a hardware store or a NJ certified radon business.

The Radon Potential Map presents radon testing data to show the potential for elevated radon concentrations in each New Jersey municipality with tier area assignments of risk. While this type of visual tool is helpful to determine if you live in an area where radon is more likely to be found, DEP recommends that all homes be tested for radon. Radon concentration can vary widely even within a tier location, depending upon the geology and amount of uranium in the soil. This means that homes in low or moderate radon potential areas may still have elevated radon concentrations. The DEP and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency both recommend that you mitigate your home if your test results indicate radon levels of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) of radon or higher.

For more information about radon testing and mitigation, view the DEP Podcast on radon.

 
 

New Jersey Certification for Radon Testing and Mitigation

The regulations for Radon Testing and Mitigation at N.J.A.C. 7:28-27 were adopted on June 6, 2022.

  1. NEW Regulations at N.J.A.C. 7:28-27
  2. FULL Adoption Document
  3. New Jersey Radon Certification Requirements

What is Radon

Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of naturally occurring uranium in soil and rock. It is invisible, odorless and tasteless, and can only be detected by specialized tests. Radon enters homes through openings that are in contact with the ground, such as cracks in the foundation, small openings around pipes, and sump pits.

Radon Causes Lung Cancer

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. The more radon you are exposed to, and the longer the exposure, the greater the risk of eventually developing lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year in the United States. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked.

About the Radon Section

The Department of Environmental Protection Radon Section conducts outreach activities to educate the public on the risks of radon and how homes can be fixed. Staff work with municipal governments to promote public awareness. By law, all businesses and professionals conducting radon testing and mitigation in New Jersey must be certified by the DEP. The Radon Section regulates radon measurement and mitigation businesses and professionals to ensure high quality radon services.

Test Your Home!

Testing your home for radon is easy and homes with high levels of radon can be fixed (mitigated). The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection recommends that all homes be tested for radon. Check with your local health department or municipality to find out if they are giving away free radon test kits. Homeowners can test for radon themselves or hire a New Jersey certified radon measurement business to perform the testing. Some certified radon measurement businesses sell test kits through mail order, and test kits from certified businesses are available at hardware stores or home centers. A buyer must hire a certified business to conduct a radon test.

Warning for On-line Purchasers
Not all radon testing devices sold on-line are approved for use by the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists or the National Radon Safety Board. To ensure accurate test results, purchase a device from a New Jersey certified radon measurement business.






Radon Hotline
800-648-0394
 
Charles Renaud
Supervisor
 



 RADON Information
Radon Action Month Proclamation
Find Certified Radon Business or Professional
Fee Table
Radon Potential Map
Radon Awareness Program
General Radon Information
Radon & Real Estate
Regulations
Radon Podcast
Radon in Water Testing and Mitigation
Additional Links

AQES: Home
Department: NJDEP Home | About DEP | Index by Topic | Programs/Units | DEP Online
Statewide: NJ Home | Services A to Z | Departments/Agencies | FAQs

Copyright © State of New Jersey, 1996-2024

Last Updated: January 10, 2025