Radon in NYS: Facts and Figures
New York State Levels of Radon
Between 1986 and 2007, over 45,000 basement screening measurements and over 11,000 long-term living area measurements were collected through the New York State Department of Health’s ongoing detector distribution program. Because this type of data does not significantly change over time, it is still valuable today.
The maps below are to be used as a guide in matters regarding measuring homes for indoor radon and for the implementation of radon-resistant building techniques. Even in areas with below average levels of indoor radon, it is prudent to measure homes for indoor radon. In areas with above average concentrations of indoor radon, existing homes should be measured and new construction should employ radon-resistant building techniques.
Using a program developed at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the estimates of the percentage of homes with greater than 4 pCi/L and the uncertainties in these estimates were mapped. For areas in the State where few measurements have been made, the percent of homes with above 4 pCi/L has been estimated using indoor radon correlations with the surficial geology of the area.
Long-term (90 days – 1 year) living area measurements (click on the county in the table below to view results)
These maps indicate the percent of homes greater than 4 pCi/L based on long-term tests with the detectors placed in a primary living area of the home. Approximately 90% of the detectors were placed in living rooms, family rooms, and bedrooms. The long-term living area estimates are the best indicators for the percent of homes in an area that are above the EPA action guideline concentration of 4 pCi/L. Statewide, the long-term living area estimate for homes above 4 pCi/L is 5%.
