Radon levels in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
ModerateEPA Zone 1Predicted long-term basement average of 3.1 pCi/L (model estimate) across 45 ZIP codes - about 1.7× the US average of 1.8, about 1.4× the Pennsylvania average of 2.3. Ranked #21 of 67 Pennsylvania counties.
Test Lancaster County, PA - the EPA says "consider fixing" in this range
The predicted basement average here is 3.1 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.
3.1 ± 0.08
pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)
2.2 ± 0.06
pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean
2.1-4.1
range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the county
What this means for Lancaster
The typical Lancaster County 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 roughly one home in several in a moderate area will test above 4.
Note that the EPA classifies Lancaster County as Zone 1 while the newer model predicts 3.1 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 Pennsylvania counties: York County (3.1), Armstrong County (3.1), Venango County (3.1), Jefferson County (3.1). The state's highest is Lebanon County at 4.8 pCi/L.
ZIP codes in Lancaster County
Predicted basement and upstairs means by ZIP (model estimate). ZIPs whose land is mostly in this county.
| ZIP | Basement | Upstairs | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17603 | 2.7 ± 0.07 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17602 | 2.5 ± 0.08 | 2.0 | Moderate |
| 17601 | 3.2 ± 0.07 | 2.2 | Moderate |
| 17543 | 4.1 ± 0.09 | 2.8 | High |
| 17522 | 3.8 ± 0.09 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17022 | 2.7 ± 0.09 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17545 | 3.9 ± 0.12 | 2.8 | Moderate |
| 17512 | 3.3 ± 0.09 | 2.2 | Moderate |
| 17552 | 2.9 ± 0.11 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17517 | 2.1 ± 0.13 | 1.7 | Moderate |
| 17557 | 3.1 ± 0.06 | 2.3 | Moderate |
| 17566 | 3.1 ± 0.10 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17551 | 3.4 ± 0.07 | 2.2 | Moderate |
| 17540 | 3.6 ± 0.08 | 2.3 | Moderate |
| 17584 | 3.1 ± 0.07 | 2.2 | Moderate |
| 17554 | 3.0 ± 0.06 | 2.2 | Moderate |
| 17555 | 3.1 ± 0.07 | 2.2 | Moderate |
| 17578 | 3.4 ± 0.06 | 2.3 | Moderate |
| 17547 | 2.9 ± 0.11 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17519 | 3.0 ± 0.08 | 2.3 | Moderate |
| 17527 | 2.9 ± 0.06 | 2.0 | Moderate |
| 17538 | 3.0 ± 0.07 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17579 | 3.3 ± 0.07 | 2.4 | Moderate |
| 17569 | 2.3 ± 0.06 | 1.6 | Moderate |
| 17560 | 4.0 ± 0.09 | 2.7 | High |
| 17520 | 3.3 ± 0.08 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17509 | 3.0 ± 0.06 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17516 | 3.3 ± 0.06 | 2.4 | Moderate |
| 17562 | 2.9 ± 0.06 | 2.3 | Moderate |
| 17529 | 3.0 ± 0.09 | 2.2 | Moderate |
| 17501 | 3.2 ± 0.07 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17572 | 3.3 ± 0.06 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17563 | 3.0 ± 0.06 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17532 | 3.3 ± 0.06 | 1.9 | Moderate |
| 17536 | 3.1 ± 0.06 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17565 | 3.1 ± 0.06 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17502 | 3.0 ± 0.06 | 2.0 | Moderate |
| 17535 | 2.7 ± 0.06 | 2.0 | Moderate |
| 17582 | 3.0 ± 0.06 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17505 | 2.7 ± 0.06 | 2.1 | Moderate |
| 17518 | 3.0 ± 0.06 | 1.9 | Moderate |
| 19501 | 2.1 ± 0.06 | 1.4 | Moderate |
| 17581 | 2.6 ± 0.06 | 1.7 | Moderate |
| 17550 | 2.4 ± 0.06 | 1.6 | Moderate |
| 17576 | 2.6 ± 0.06 | 1.8 | Moderate |
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.
Lancaster County radon questions
- Is radon high in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania?
- Moderate. The model predicts a long-term basement average of 3.1 pCi/L in Lancaster County (about 1.7× the US average of 1.8 and about 1.4× the Pennsylvania average of 2.3). That is in the 2-4 pCi/L range where the EPA recommends considering mitigation. Ranked 21 of 67 Pennsylvania counties.
- Should I test for radon in Lancaster County?
- Yes, soon. With a predicted average of 3.1 pCi/L and at least one ZIP predicted at 4.1, many homes in Lancaster County will test above the 4 pCi/L action level. Use a short-term kit first; if it reads 2 or higher, confirm with a long-term test or continuous monitor before deciding on mitigation.
- What does EPA Radon Zone 1 mean for Lancaster County?
- Zone 1 - highest potential (predicted average > 4 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and classifies whole counties. The newer model's predicted average of 3.1 pCi/L does not line up with Zone 1, 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 Lancaster County?
- A standard active sub-slab depressurization system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed nationally; Pennsylvania 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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