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Radon is a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you
can’t see, smell or taste. Its presence in your home can
pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the leading
cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second
leading cause of lung cancer in America and claims more than
20,000 lives annually. EPA has launched a new series
of television, radio and print public service announcements
encouraging people to test and fix their homes for radon.
This is a good time to focus on testing and on fixing homes
with a radon level of 4 pCi/L or more. Heed the
Surgeon General's warning. Take action now to reduce your
family's risk of lung cancer from radon!
Alabama
The purpose of this map is to assist National, State, and
local organizations to target their resources and to
implement radon-resistant building codes. This map is not
intended to be used to determine if a home in a given zone
should be tested for radon. Homes with elevated levels of
radon have been found in all three zones. All homes should
be tested regardless of geographic location. Important
points to note:
- All homes should test for radon, regardless of
geographic location or zone designation
- There are many thousands of individual homes with
elevated radon levels in Zone 2 and 3. Elevated
levels can be found in Zone 2 and Zone 3 counties.
- All users of the map should carefully review the map
documentation for information on within-county
variations in radon potential and supplement the map
with locally available information before making any
decisions.
- The map is not to be used in lieu of testing during
real estate transactions.
The Map was developed using five factors to determine
radon potential: indoor radon measurements; geology; aerial
radioactivity; soil permeability; and, foundation type.
Radon potential assessment is based on geologic provinces.
Radon Index Matrix is the quantitative assessment of radon
potential. Confidence Index Matrix shows the quantity and
quality of the data used to assess radon potential. Geologic
Provinces were adapted to county boundaries for the Map of
Radon Zones.
Sections 307 and 309 of the Indoor Radon Abatement Act of
1988 (IRAA) directed EPA to list and identify areas of the
U.S. with the potential for elevated indoor radon levels.
EPA's Map of Radon Zones assigns each of the 3,141 counties
in the U.S. to one of three zones based on radon potential:
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Zone 1 counties
have a predicted average indoor radon screening
level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter)
(red zones) |
Highest Potential |
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Zone 2 counties
have a predicted average indoor radon screening
level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (orange zones) |
Moderate Potential |
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Zone 3 counties
have a predicted average indoor radon screening
level less than 2 pCi/L (yellow zones) |
Low Potential |
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