Nez Perce County, ID: Radon Risk Data
EPA predicts average indoor levels below 2 pCi/L · Source: EPA, CDC
Tipper's take on Nez Perce County
Nez Perce County is in EPA Zone 3, the lowest risk classification. The EPA predicts average indoor radon levels below 2 pCi/L here, well below the agency's action level of 4 pCi/L. CDC testing data from Nez Perce County puts the average measured radon level at 4.5 pCi/L.
Zone 3 is good news. Lower risk isn't no risk, though. Radon depends on your specific home's foundation, soil, and construction as much as county-level geology. Homes with basements, older construction, or foundation cracks can test above 4 pCi/L even in low-risk counties.
Tipper's take: if you've never tested, a one-time check is reasonable and cheap. If you've already tested below 2 pCi/L, you're in good shape. Retest every two years or after any major renovation.
Sources: EPA Radon Zone Map, CDC Environmental Public Health Tracking Network
Test Your Home
The only way to know your home's radon level is to test it. Tipper recommends starting with a short-term test kit. It includes the lab fee, takes 48 hours, and costs about $15.
Radon Professionals Serving Idaho
We don't have contractor listings for this area yet.
The EPA maintains a national directory of certified radon professionals.
How Nez Perce County Compares
vs. Idaho Statewide
Nez Perce County's average of 4.5 pCi/L is 1.8 pCi/L below the statewide average.
Frequently Asked Questions: Nez Perce County
Nez Perce County is Zone 3. Do I really need to test?
Zone 3 is the lowest risk category, so statistically most homes here test fine. Tipper's honest answer is that a one-time test is still worth doing. Radon depends on your specific home's foundation and soil as much as county-level data. If you test below 2 pCi/L, you're done. 48 hours and $15 for real peace of mind.
What is the EPA's action level, and why 4 pCi/L?
The EPA recommends fixing your home if it tests at or above 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). There's no completely safe level. Radon exposure is a spectrum. But 4 pCi/L is where the EPA concludes mitigation is clearly cost-effective. The WHO sets a lower reference level of 2.7 pCi/L. If your home is between 2 and 4 pCi/L, mitigation is optional but worth considering, especially in bedrooms.
How often should I retest for radon?
If your home tested below 4 pCi/L and nothing major has changed structurally, retesting every two years is a good habit. Retest immediately after any significant basement renovation, after buying or selling a home, or after installing a mitigation system (to confirm it's working). Radon levels can shift as foundations settle and conditions change.
The county average is above 4 pCi/L. Should I be worried about my kids?
Children's lungs are still developing, and they typically spend more time at home, so radon exposure matters for them. The county average above 4 pCi/L doesn't mean your home is above that level, though. Test your specific home. If it comes back high, a mitigation system typically brings levels below 2 pCi/L. That's the right response.
State Overview
Radon Data for Idaho