Radon levels in Chatham County, North Carolina

LowEPA Zone 3

Predicted long-term basement average of 1.4 pCi/L (model estimate) across 9 ZIP codes - about 25% below the US average of 1.8, about 18% below the North Carolina average of 1.7. Ranked #78 of 100 North Carolina counties.

Test Chatham County, NC once anyway - radon varies house to house

The predicted basement average here is 1.4 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.

1.4 ± 0.07

pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)

0.6 ± 0.09

pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean

1.3-1.6

range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the county

What this means for Chatham

The typical Chatham 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 1.3 to 1.6 pCi/L.

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

Comparable North Carolina counties: Harnett County (1.4), Person County (1.4), Robeson County (1.4), Brunswick County (1.3). The state's highest is Transylvania County at 3.6 pCi/L.

ZIP codes in Chatham County

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

ZIPBasementUpstairsGrade
275171.2 ± 0.060.7Low
273121.4 ± 0.070.5Low
273441.4 ± 0.070.6Low
275231.4 ± 0.080.6Low
272071.6 ± 0.070.6Low
275591.5 ± 0.060.6Low
272521.5 ± 0.070.7Low
275621.4 ± 0.070.6Low
272081.4 ± 0.080.6Low

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.

Chatham County radon questions

Is radon high in Chatham County, North Carolina?
Low. The model predicts a long-term basement average of 1.4 pCi/L in Chatham County (about 25% below the US average of 1.8 and about 18% below the North Carolina average of 1.7). That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Ranked 78 of 100 North Carolina counties.
Should I test for radon in Chatham County?
Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area, and the model's ZIP-level predictions in Chatham County already range from 1.3 to 1.6 pCi/L. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house.
What does EPA Radon Zone 3 mean for Chatham 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 Chatham County?
A standard active sub-slab depressurization system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed nationally; North Carolina 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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