A radon map is a map of a specific area that displays data on radon levels. Radon maps are frequently created and maintained by government agencies concerned with environmental safety, but they can also be maintained by private businesses. Radon maps can be used for a variety of purposes, making them useful tools. They are usually freely available upon request, and members of the public can request their own copies of a regional radon map from local government officials.
The agencies that maintain these maps emphasize that they are not intended to be used in place of radon testing. The maps aren’t supposed to be used as a testing guide; radon can show up in any structure, regardless of where it appears on a radon map. Radon maps can’t be used in real estate transactions because they don’t provide specific property information. A real estate agent, for example, cannot claim that a home is in a low zone in order to mislead buyers into believing that the home is radon-free.
A typical radon map plots values that are already known. The values are divided into three categories: low, medium, and high. Many factors can affect radon levels, and being in a high zone on a radon map does not always imply the presence of other environmental hazards. Being in a low zone, on the other hand, does not imply that an area is free of contamination or that structures within the low zone will have low radon levels.
Radon maps are primarily used in the development of building codes that are intended to improve building safety. The idea is that in a high-risk zone, it might be a good idea to include stringent radon mitigation measures in the building code. Installation of systems to manage radon buildup in structures, as well as the use of radon-resistant construction techniques to prevent radon from entering a structure, are examples of such precautions.
A radon test can be done quickly and easily with a kit that is mailed back after the radon sample is taken. The cost of such tests varies, and in some cases, free test kits and low-cost testing are available. Radon testing is the only way to determine how much radon is present in a structure, and it is recommended prior to real estate transactions and major renovations, as the test results may influence renovation and property purchase decisions.