Radon Testing

Dataset: Radon Testing

Radon testing data come from laboratories and radon measurement professionals that voluntarily report results from radon tests conducted in Minnesota homes.

Average MN radon levels
EPA radon categories
Number of properties tested
Average radon levels by season

Comparing Minnesota and U.S. average radon levels, 2016-2025

The average radon level in Minnesota (4 pCi/L) is more than three times higher than the average U.S. radon level (1.3 pCi/L). Radon is a serious public health issue in Minnesota because our soil has high levels of radon. In winter, home heating systems tend to draw in radon gas from the soil, increasing radon levels inside the home.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit. Average U.S. indoor radon level from EPA.

Display ID	Topic	Dataset	Subtopic	Year	Month	Geography	Geo ID	Geo Name	Variable	EPA category	Value	Measure	Count	Population	Note	Upper CL	Lower CL	Label	Average Annual Number of Properties Tested	Average (Arithmetic) Radon Value pCi/L	95th Percentile Radon Value pCi/L

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Number of Minnesota counties by EPA radon levels, 2016-2025

About 71% of Minnesotan counties have average radon levels in the highest category. Even if your county has a lower average radon level, it is important to test your own home since radon levels can be very different even between homes in the same neighborhood. If a home tests:

Between 2 to 3.9 pCi/L, the Environmental Protection Agency and MDH recommend considering fixing the home to reduce radon exposure
At or above 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA and MDH highly encourage fixing the home to reduce radon exposure

87 total MN counties. Source: MDH Indoor Air Unit 2010-2020.

Display ID	Topic	Dataset	Subtopic	Year	Month	Geography	Geo ID	Geo Name	Variable	EPA category	Value	Measure	Count	Population	Note	Upper CL	Lower CL	Label	Average Annual Number of Properties Tested	Average (Arithmetic) Radon Value pCi/L	95th Percentile Radon Value pCi/L

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Annual number of properties tested in Minnesota

This chart displays the number of unique properties tested for radon each year. In 2021-2023, real estate testing declined significantly, because some buyers skipped home inspections (and radon testing) while the housing market was hot and fewer homes were sold. Also, there was an increase in the use of continuous digital radon monitors, which reduced purchases of lab test kits. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) does not track the use of these consumer monitors.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Indoor Air Unit. Data is collected from 11 private radon labs that voluntarily report their data to MDH. Radon tests reported from radon measurement professionals was added in 2019.

Display ID	Topic	Dataset	Subtopic	Year	Month	Geography	Geo ID	Geo Name	Variable	EPA category	Value	Measure	Count	Population	Note	Upper CL	Lower CL	Label	Average Annual Number of Properties Tested	Average (Arithmetic) Radon Value pCi/L	95th Percentile Radon Value pCi/L

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Average radon levels by season, 2016-2025

Average radon levels rise and fall throughout the seasons due to home ventilation and heating. Radon levels tend to be higher in the winter, but can be high anytime of the year. It is important to test your home when possible, but be aware of the impact of the season on your radon test results. January is radon awareness month and is a good time to test.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit.

Display ID	Topic	Dataset	Subtopic	Year	Month	Geography	Geo ID	Geo Name	Variable	EPA category	Value	Measure	Count	Population	Note	Upper CL	Lower CL	Label	Average Annual Number of Properties Tested	Average (Arithmetic) Radon Value pCi/L	95th Percentile Radon Value pCi/L

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Properties tested ≥ 2pCi/L (County)
Properties tested ≥ 4pCi/L (County)
Annual testing rates (Census tract)

Percent of Properties Tested for Radon ≥ 2 pCi/L, by County, 2020-2025

Counties in the south and west had a higher percent of properties over 2 pCi/L. Regardless of where your home is located, MDH recommends testing for radon.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit Radon Test Data

Display ID	Topic	Dataset	Subtopic	Year	Month	Geography	Geo ID	Geo Name	Variable	EPA category	Value	Measure	Count	Population	Note	Upper CL	Lower CL	Label	Average Annual Number of Properties Tested	Average (Arithmetic) Radon Value pCi/L	95th Percentile Radon Value pCi/L
	Radon	Radon Testing		2016-2025		Minnesota	27000	Minnesota			69	Percent of Properties Tested = 2 pCi/L	180433

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Percent of Properties Tested for Radon ≥ 4 pCi/L, by County, 2020-2025

Counties in the south and west had a higher percent of properties over 4 pCi/L. Regardless of where your home is located, MDH recommends testing for radon.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit Radon Test Data

Display ID	Topic	Dataset	Subtopic	Year	Month	Geography	Geo ID	Geo Name	Variable	EPA category	Value	Measure	Count	Population	Note	Upper CL	Lower CL	Label	Average Annual Number of Properties Tested	Average (Arithmetic) Radon Value pCi/L	95th Percentile Radon Value pCi/L
	Radon	Radon Testing		2016-2025		Minnesota	27000	Minnesota			36.2	Percent of Properties Tested = 4 pCi/L	94719

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Average Annual Radon Testing Rates per 10,000 Housing Units, 2020-2025

Census Tracts in central and southern Minnesota had higher rates of radon testing. Regardless of where your home is located, MDH recommends testing for radon.

Source: Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit Radon Test Data

Display ID	Topic	Dataset	Subtopic	Year	Month	Geography	Geo ID	Geo Name	Variable	EPA category	Value	Measure	Count	Population	Note	Upper CL	Lower CL	Label	Average Annual Number of Properties Tested	Average (Arithmetic) Radon Value pCi/L	95th Percentile Radon Value pCi/L

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