Radon Risk in Oregon

Radon Risk Level in Oregon

The Oregon Public Health Division recommends that all homes test for radon regardless of the risk level assigned to the home's geographic location.

Qualifications for a Free Short-Term Radon Test: 

1. Open and view the Radon Risk Zip Code Table
   
2. Use the ZIP code table to find your ZIP code. 
   
3. If your ZIP code has one of the following, you qualify for a free test kit:
• an *asterisk* next to the risk level, 
  
• "Not Assigned" is listed as the risk level, 
  
• your ZIP code is not listed but is located in the State of Oregon.
  

Yes, I qualify for a short-term test kit. How do I request one? 

1. If you qualify for a short-term radon test, please email radon.program@dhsoha.state.or.us. 
   
2. In the email include: name, home address, mailing address (if different from home) and email address. Your test kit will be mailed to you from AirChek. 
   
3. Once you receive your radon test kit, follow the manufactures instructions for the most accurate results.  
   

No, I do not qualify for a short-term test kit. How can I get a radon test kit?

• Most local hardware stores sell radon test kits for $15-$25 
• Online retailers
  
• American Lung Association sells short-term radon test kits for $18, and long-term test kits for $30. The price of kits includes shipping and lab analysis. 
  
• Nonprofit Home Inspections offers a free radon test to those that qualify as low/moderate income levels. 
  
  

What happens to the information collected by the short-term radon test kit program? 

Oregon Radon Awareness Program (ORAP) asks radon test kit manufacturers to voluntarily submit short-term and long-term radon tests that have been conducted mainly by residents of single-family homes. With the information provided by test kit manufacturers, ORAP uploads the results to an interactive map and updates the radon risk level ZIP code table. This information is used to identify radon risk levels in Oregon. 

Map of Radon Risk in Oregon  Radon Risk Level ZIP Code Table Radon Risk Level Description

• The map and table provided should not be used to substitute for radon testing of an individual home. Home radon test results can vary greatly from neighbor to neighbor. The only way to know if you have high radon levels in your home is to test YOUR home.
  
• The data presented in the links to the map and table contain long-term indoor radon test results (more than 90 days) and short-term indoor radon test results (2-90 days) that have been conducted primarily by residents of single-family homes.
• Multifamily housing, apartments, office buildings, and schools have more complex and different standards for radon testing. An advanced certification for professionals is available to perform radon measurements in large buildings. Learn more about testing for radon in large buildings in the advanced certification section.
• Indoor radon levels can be influenced by weather, season, geology, type of construction and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Because of this, radon levels may not be consistent among a group of homes, even those next door to each other.
• Most areas assigned a low-risk level include at least one test result that is higher than the EPA action level of 4 picocuries per liter of air (4piC/L). Testing a home is the only way to know what the level of radon is in a home.