Radon

Radon-Resistant New Construction for Home Buyers

On this page:

Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas found in soil and rock. It seeps into homes through cracks in the foundation, walls and joints.
In some parts of the country, ground water can be a major source of radon. All homes should be tested for radon.
- Learn more about radon in ground water and drinking water.
Among non-smokers, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Lung cancer due to radon exposure claims about 21,000 U.S. lives annually, based on EPA estimates.
- More information about radon exposure and lung cancer.
In many cases lung cancer can be prevented; this is especially true for radon-related lung cancer.
Using common materials and straightforward techniques, builders can construct new homes that are resistant to radon entry.

Consider these facts:

Radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) typically costs a builder between $250 and $750.
RRNC could cost less than $250 if the builder already uses some of the same techniques for moisture control.
For a builder, it is much less expensive to install a radon-resistant system during construction than to go back and fix a radon problem identified later.
If a new homeowner tests for radon and has to mitigate high levels, it could cost the builder or the owner more than an initial installation.

New homes can be built to resist radon entry. The additional cost at the time of construction is minimal.
When installed properly, the basic radon-resistant new construction techniques greatly reduce the lung cancer risk that may occur from radon in the home.
Some builders use the same construction techniques for better moisture control.
More than 3 million homes have been built since 1990 using radon-resistant techniques, based on an annual survey of builders conducted by the Home Innovation Research Labs.
For peace of mind, ask your builder to include a radon reduction system in your new home and test your new home for elevated levels (4 pCi/L or more) of radon gas before you move in.
For guidance and standards on building new homes with radon-reducing features, please visit our publications page.
Homes certified or labeled by the following can have RRNC techniques:
- EPA's Indoor airPLUS (IAP)
- The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Exit
- USGBC Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Exit certified or labeled homes can have RRNC techniques.