NC offers 8,000 free radon test kits as Radon Action Month begins

Burke County residents can now request a free radon test kit as the state marks National Radon Action Month and pushes to reduce exposure to one of the leading causes of lung cancer.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced it will provide 8,000 free radon test kits, available online at radon.ncdhhs.gov, with a limit of one kit per household.

Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that forms naturally in the ground and can seep into homes, where it may build up to unsafe levels. Health officials say testing is the only way to know whether a home has elevated radon levels.

Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States, including about 480 deaths each year in North Carolina, according to NCDHHS.

“Everyone in North Carolina is exposed to some level of radon, which can be dangerous to your health,” said Phillip Gibson, the state’s radon program coordinator. “We recommend that every home be tested for radon so you can know your risks and take the necessary steps for mitigation.”

NCDHHS said updated county-level data shows about 90% of North Carolina counties have areas with elevated radon levels. The agency uses the federal recommended action threshold of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Homes testing at or above that level are considered unsafe and may require mitigation.

The department has also updated online tools and guidance to help residents evaluate radon risk in their area and understand next steps if a test comes back high. Materials, including flyers, fact sheets, and videos, are available in 16 languages, officials said.

Radon exposure reduction is listed as a priority in the state’s 2023 State Health Improvement Plan and the 2025–2030 North Carolina Cancer Plan, NCDHHS said.

— AVN