Radon Testing in Lawrence, Kansas

Lawrence is in Douglas County, which the EPA classifies as Radon Zone 1. That means average indoor radon levels are predicted to be above the 4 pCi/L action level. Testing is the only way to know what is happening in your specific home.

How a radon test works

A short term test measures radon in the lowest livable level of your home, usually the basement or first floor. A typical test runs for 2 to 7 days. For reliable results, keep windows and exterior doors closed as much as possible, starting about 12 hours before the test and throughout it, and avoid running whole house fans.

Who should test

• Current homeowners who have never tested, or have not tested in the last two years.
• Home buyers who want radon results as part of the inspection period. See radon when buying or selling a home.
• Sellers who want to know the number before listing.
• Anyone who finished a basement or changed their heating and cooling system.

Do it yourself kit or a professional?

Inexpensive test kits are sold at hardware stores and county extension offices, and they work for a first screening. A professional test uses calibrated equipment and documented placement, which matters for real estate transactions. In Kansas, anyone performing radon testing as a service must hold a current certification from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

What your result means

• Below 2 pCi/L: Low. Retest every couple of years or after major changes to the home.
• 2 to 3.9 pCi/L: The EPA says to consider fixing the home.
• 4 pCi/L or higher: The EPA recommends mitigation. See radon mitigation in Lawrence.

Related guides

See radon levels in Douglas County from KDHE, K-State and CDC test data. Compare radon testing and mitigation costs in Lawrence, or read our local guides for Eudora and Baldwin City.