Radon levels in El Paso, Texas
ModerateEPA Zone 3Predicted long-term basement average of 2.0 pCi/L (model estimate) across the 20 modeled ZIP codes in El Paso - close to the US average of 1.8, about 1.3× the Texas average of 1.5. Ranked #3 of 83 Texas cities on this site. Most of the city lies in El Paso County.
Test El Paso, TX - the EPA says "consider fixing" in this range
The predicted basement average here is 2.0 pCi/L, in the 2-4 pCi/L band where the EPA recommends considering mitigation. Plenty of individual homes in a moderate area test above 4. Start with a short-term test; if it comes back at 2 or higher, follow up with a long-term test or a continuous monitor.
Already tested at 4 pCi/L or higher? Find a certified mitigation professional (EPA). A mitigation system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed.
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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.
2.0 ± 0.06
pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)
1.4 ± 0.07
pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean
1.7-2.3
range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the city
0%
of El Paso ZIPs predicted ≥ 4 pCi/L (40% ≥ 2)
What this means for El Paso
The typical El Paso home is predicted in the 2-4 pCi/L band. The EPA's guidance for this range is to consider fixing, because there is no known safe level and a meaningful minority of homes in a moderate area will test above 4.
The city figure is not a separate estimate: it is the mean of the model's ZIP-code predictions, weighted by the share of the city's land in each ZIP (Census 2020 ZCTA-to-place relationship file). Note that the EPA classifies El Paso County as Zone 3 while the newer model predicts 2.0 pCi/L for El Paso; where they disagree, we grade on the model but show both.
Comparable Texas cities: Lubbock (2.0), Burleson (1.9), Sherman (1.9), Leander (1.9).
ZIP codes in El Paso
ZIPs that overlap the city, largest share of its land first. Predicted basement and upstairs means are model estimates; ZIPs the model does not cover show a dash.
| ZIP | Share of city | Basement | Upstairs | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 79934 | 19% | 2.2 ± 0.06 | 1.5 | Moderate |
| 79911 | 13% | 1.9 ± 0.06 | 1.4 | Low |
| 79912 | 9% | 1.7 ± 0.06 | 1.0 | Low |
| 79936 | 8% | 2.0 ± 0.06 | 1.3 | Low |
| 79925 | 7% | 2.1 ± 0.05 | 1.4 | Moderate |
| 79907 | 5% | 2.1 ± 0.06 | 1.4 | Moderate |
| 79924 | 5% | 2.3 ± 0.06 | 1.6 | Moderate |
| 79938 | 5% | 2.2 ± 0.06 | 1.3 | Moderate |
| 79904 | 5% | 1.9 ± 0.06 | 1.5 | Low |
| 79932 | 4% | 1.8 ± 0.06 | 1.0 | Low |
| 79915 | 4% | 2.0 ± 0.05 | 1.3 | Low |
| 79930 | 3% | 2.1 ± 0.06 | 1.6 | Moderate |
| 79902 | 3% | 1.9 ± 0.06 | 1.4 | Low |
| 79905 | 3% | 2.0 ± 0.06 | 1.2 | Low |
| 79922 | 3% | 1.8 ± 0.06 | 1.2 | Low |
| 79927 | 2% | 1.9 ± 0.06 | 1.3 | Low |
| 79935 | 1% | 2.1 ± 0.05 | 1.4 | Moderate |
| 79903 | 1% | 2.0 ± 0.06 | 1.3 | Low |
| 79901 | 1% | 1.8 ± 0.06 | 1.2 | Low |
| 79906 | 1% | 2.1 ± 0.06 | 1.3 | Moderate |
| 79920 | <1% | — | — | no model |
Testing help in Texas
We link only state program pages we could verify, and Texas's did not respond when we checked, so start from the EPA state radon contacts page. If a test comes back at 4 pCi/L or higher, mitigation typically costs $800-$2,500 installed; use EPA find-a-professional and read the mitigation guide.
El Paso radon questions
- Is radon high in El Paso, Texas?
- Moderate. Averaging the model's ZIP-code predictions across El Paso (weighted by how much of the city each ZIP covers) gives a long-term basement mean of 2.0 pCi/L - close to the US average of 1.8 and about 1.3× the Texas average of 1.5. That is in the 2-4 pCi/L range where the EPA says to consider fixing. El Paso ranks 3 of 83 Texas cities on this site.
- Which El Paso ZIP codes have the highest radon?
- Predictions for the 20 modeled ZIP codes in El Paso range from 1.7 to 2.3 pCi/L in the basement. 0% of them are predicted at or above 4 pCi/L and 40% at or above 2. The city is fairly uniform, so the city-wide number is a reasonable guide for any neighborhood.
- Should I test for radon in El Paso?
- Yes, soon. With a predicted basement average of 2.0 pCi/L, a meaningful share of El Paso homes will test above the 4 pCi/L action level. Start with a short-term kit; if it reads 2 or higher, confirm with a long-term test or a continuous monitor before paying for mitigation.
- What does EPA Radon Zone 3 mean for El Paso?
- El Paso sits mainly in El Paso County, which the EPA classifies as Zone 3 - low potential (< 2 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and covers whole counties. The newer model's city average of 2.0 pCi/L does not line up with Zone 3, which is common - the EPA itself says high-radon homes exist in every zone. Neither replaces a test of your own home.
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