Radon levels in Essex County, New Jersey

LowEPA Zone 2

Predicted long-term basement average of 1.2 pCi/L (model estimate) across 31 ZIP codes - about 35% below the US average of 1.8, close to the New Jersey average of 1.3. Ranked #19 of 21 New Jersey counties.

Test Essex County, NJ once anyway - radon varies house to house

The predicted basement average here is 1.2 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.

1.2 ± 0.05

pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)

0.6 ± 0.07

pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean

1.0-1.5

range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the county

What this means for Essex

The typical Essex 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 1.0 to 1.5 pCi/L.

Note that the EPA classifies Essex County as Zone 2 while the newer model predicts 1.2 pCi/L. The zone map predates two decades of test data; where they disagree, we grade on the model but show both. County figures weight each ZIP by its 2010 Census population, so they describe where people live rather than empty land.

Comparable New Jersey counties: Bergen County (1.2), Passaic County (1.2), Camden County (1.1), Ocean County (1.2). The state's highest is Warren County at 2.3 pCi/L.

ZIP codes in Essex County

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

ZIPBasementUpstairsGrade
071111.0 ± 0.060.6Low
071041.1 ± 0.060.5Low
070031.2 ± 0.050.7Low
071051.1 ± 0.050.5Low
070521.3 ± 0.060.7Low
071071.1 ± 0.060.6Low
070171.1 ± 0.060.6Low
071091.2 ± 0.050.7Low
071031.1 ± 0.050.6Low
071061.1 ± 0.050.6Low
070501.0 ± 0.060.6Low
070391.4 ± 0.050.7Low
071101.3 ± 0.040.7Low
070181.1 ± 0.060.6Low
071121.1 ± 0.060.5Low
070421.2 ± 0.060.7Low
070061.3 ± 0.050.8Low
071081.2 ± 0.050.6Low
070401.3 ± 0.050.6Low
070791.4 ± 0.050.7Low
071141.1 ± 0.050.6Low
070441.3 ± 0.050.7Low
070781.3 ± 0.050.7Low
071021.1 ± 0.070.7Low
070091.3 ± 0.050.7Low
070431.3 ± 0.050.7Low
070281.3 ± 0.050.7Low
070041.3 ± 0.050.7Low
070411.2 ± 0.050.7Low
070681.5 ± 0.070.8Low
070211.3 ± 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.

Essex County radon questions

Is radon high in Essex County, New Jersey?
Low. The model predicts a long-term basement average of 1.2 pCi/L in Essex County (about 35% below the US average of 1.8 and close to the New Jersey average of 1.3). That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Ranked 19 of 21 New Jersey counties.
Should I test for radon in Essex County?
Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area, and the model's ZIP-level predictions in Essex County already range from 1.0 to 1.5 pCi/L. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house.
What does EPA Radon Zone 2 mean for Essex County?
Zone 2 - moderate potential (2-4 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and classifies whole counties. The newer model's predicted average of 1.2 pCi/L does not line up with Zone 2, which is common - the EPA itself says high-radon homes exist in every zone. Neither replaces a test of your own home.
How much does radon mitigation cost in Essex County?
A standard active sub-slab depressurization system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed nationally; New Jersey 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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