Radon Exposure in your Home

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless, tasteless, radioactive gas produced from the radioactive decay of radium, found in most soils and earthen construction materials. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. after smoking, and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year (about one person every 25 minutes) in the United States. Data collected by the Florida Department of Health (DOH) indicates that 1 in 5 Florida residences has radon levels above the EPA action level of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L). Elevated radon levels have been found in all types of Florida buildings, including manufactured homes, schools and high-rise condominiums.

Radon may be a problem in your home.

In some areas of Florida, one out of two homes has excessive amounts of radon. Floridians are exposed to concentrated radon gas as it enters their building. The Florida Department of Health, in conjunction with the local county public health units, is working to support Floridians as they protect themselves from radiation exposure from radon gas.

Florida is aggressive in its policies attacking unnecessary radon exposure to the public. Florida is in the forefront in consumer protection concerning radon issues. The state has required radon measurement and reduction companies and personnel to be certified since 1989.  Florida has a mandatory radon testing program for various public facilities, such as public and private schools, day care centers, and 24-hour care facilities such as nursing homes and hospitals. This public testing information allows Floridians to make informed decisions in the care and education of their loved ones.

In Florida businesses and individuals performing radon services must be certified by the Radon Program. This website provides important information from the EPA, as well as radon resistant construction in Florida.

^{(SOURCE: DOH Radon Exposure in your home, Reviewed: October 14, 2024)}

Radon-Resistant New Construction (RRNC)

RRNC is a way to build a safer, healthier, radon-resistant home for customers. RRNC is much more cost effective (less than $1,000) to install during construction than to go back and fix a radon problem identified later. No additional skills or materials are required. Refer to the following Building Code / Standards.

• RRNC is a lot cheaper than lung cancer treatment
• Builders can advertise RRNC features as an add-on

To learn more about RRNC visit:

• “Build Without Radon”
• Radon.FloridaHealth.gov
• EPA.gov/Radon

^{SOURCE: RRNC Factsheet}

Contacts

The Department of Health Radon and Indoor Air Quality program was original created by the State Legislature in 1988 as the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services Radiation Control / Radon Program, a statewide program responsible for aiding the public in protecting itself from unnecessary radiation exposure from radon. Over time the program has evolved and now can supply technical information in dealing with general indoor environmental or air quality and toxicology-related exposure issues. The program, now part of the Public Health Toxicology Section, includes a statewide coordinator for indoor air quality in addition to the radon group.

Mailing Address

Florida Department of Health
Bureau of Environmental Public Health
Radon and Indoor Air Program
4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #A08
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

Phone Numbers:

850-245-4288
800-543-8279

Fax: 850-487-0864

^{(SOURCE: DOH Radon Contacts, Last Reviewed: October 14, 2024)}