Radon levels in Merced County, California

LowEPA Zone 3

Predicted long-term basement average of 1.5 pCi/L (model estimate) across 17 ZIP codes - about 17% below the US average of 1.8, close to the California average of 1.5. Ranked #35 of 58 California counties.

Test Merced County, CA once anyway - radon varies house to house

The predicted basement average here is 1.5 pCi/L, below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold. That's good news for the area - but the EPA still recommends every home be tested, because foundation cracks, soil pockets and ventilation make one house very different from its neighbor. One inexpensive kit settles it.

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Predicted (model estimate). The pCi/L figures on this page are long-term area averages from a peer-reviewed national model built on millions of real radon tests (2001-2021). They describe the typical home in this area - not your home, which can be several times higher or lower. The EPA radon zone is a separate, 1993 county-level classification. How the numbers work.

1.5 ± 0.06

pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)

0.9 ± 0.07

pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean

1.4-1.7

range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the county

What this means for Merced

The typical Merced County home is predicted below 2 pCi/L, the lowest band. That is the best case an area can show - but it describes the average house, and the ZIP-level predictions within the county still span 1.4 to 1.7 pCi/L.

The 1993 EPA zone (3) and the 2001-2021 model agree for Merced. County figures weight each ZIP by its 2010 Census population, so they describe where people live rather than empty land.

Comparable California counties: Glenn County (1.5), Sutter County (1.5), Yuba County (1.5), Kings County (1.5). The state's highest is Mono County at 2.7 pCi/L.

ZIP codes in Merced County

Predicted basement and upstairs means by ZIP (model estimate). ZIPs whose land is mostly in this county.

ZIPBasementUpstairsGrade
936351.6 ± 0.060.9Low
953011.5 ± 0.060.8Low
953401.5 ± 0.071.0Low
953411.5 ± 0.060.9Low
953481.4 ± 0.070.9Low
953341.6 ± 0.060.9Low
953881.4 ± 0.060.9Low
953151.4 ± 0.060.8Low
936201.7 ± 0.060.9Low
953221.6 ± 0.060.8Low
953241.6 ± 0.060.9Low
953651.5 ± 0.060.9Low
953331.5 ± 0.060.9Low
953741.5 ± 0.060.8Low
953691.6 ± 0.050.9Low
953031.5 ± 0.060.9Low
953171.5 ± 0.060.8Low

If your test comes back at 4 pCi/L or higher

Mitigation is a routine job: a fan-driven pipe that vents soil gas from under the slab to above the roofline, typically $800-$2,500 installed (typical range; local quotes vary). Use certified professionals: EPA find-a-professional. Read the full mitigation guide.

Merced County radon questions

Is radon high in Merced County, California?
Low. The model predicts a long-term basement average of 1.5 pCi/L in Merced County (about 17% below the US average of 1.8 and close to the California average of 1.5). That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Ranked 35 of 58 California counties.
Should I test for radon in Merced County?
Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area, and the model's ZIP-level predictions in Merced County already range from 1.4 to 1.7 pCi/L. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house.
What does EPA Radon Zone 3 mean for Merced County?
Zone 3 - low potential (< 2 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and classifies whole counties. The 2001-2021 model agrees with the zone here. Neither replaces a test of your own home.
How much does radon mitigation cost in Merced County?
A standard active sub-slab depressurization system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed nationally; California quotes vary with foundation type (slab, crawlspace, basement), home size and local labor. Get two or three bids from certified mitigators listed by your state radon program or the EPA's find-a-professional page.

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