Radon-Resistant Construction Basics
By building radon-resistant new homes, builders and contractors provide a public health service — helping to reduce buyers’ risk of lung cancer from exposure to radon in indoor air. Using common materials and straightforward techniques, builders can construct new homes that are resistant to radon entry.
- Radon-resistant features can be an important selling point for health-conscious home-buyers.
- Radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) typically costs a builder between $250 and $750, depending on the size and location of the house.
- RRNC can cost less than $250 if the builder already uses some of the same techniques for moisture control. This cost is much less than the cost to fix a radon problem if a new homeowner tests for radon and finds elevated levels (4 pCi/L or more).
- RRNC, an integral part of the green building movement, is part of or included in three labeling programs:
- EPA's Indoor airPLUS (IAP) Website
- U.S. Green Building Council LEED for Homes Rating System More than 1.5 million new homes have been constructed since 1990 with radon-resistant features, based on an annual survey of builders conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center.
- Find a radon training center near you for more information.