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High test result

What to do if your radon test is over 4.0 pCi/L

A high result is a problem to handle carefully, not a reason to panic. Start by confirming the result, test type, and timeline.

A result over 4.0 pCi/L can feel alarming, especially during a home inspection. The practical response is to confirm the test details, understand the deadline, and then talk through mitigation options.

01Confirm the number
02Check the test type
03Decide on timing
04Request an estimate

First, understand what the number means

Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air, usually written as pCi/L. EPA recommends fixing homes with radon levels at 4.0 pCi/L or higher. Some homeowners also choose to reduce levels between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L because there is no known completely safe level of radon exposure.

Second, check the test details

Was it a short-term test, long-term test, or professional real estate test? Was the device placed in the lowest livable level of the home? Were doors and windows kept closed according to the instructions? A provider may ask because testing conditions can affect the result.

When to request a mitigation estimate

  • Your test result is 4.0 pCi/L or higher.
  • You are buying a home and the inspection found elevated radon.
  • You are selling a home and want to solve radon before listing or settlement.
  • You plan to use the basement as a bedroom, family room, office, or play area.
  • You already have a mitigation system but levels are still elevated.
Do not rely on smell, the age of the house, or what happened at a neighbor’s house. Radon is property-specific.

If there is no real estate deadline

A second test or longer test may help confirm the level. If the result remains elevated, then the conversation can move from whether the problem is real to what it would take to reduce it.

Next step

Have a high result?

Share the result, test type, and whether you are under a deadline. A local provider can help you understand next steps.

Request help

Common questions

Is 4.0 pCi/L an emergency?

It is not usually handled like a same-day emergency, but EPA recommends fixing homes at or above 4.0 pCi/L. Real estate deadlines may create urgency.

Should I test again?

If you are not under a deadline, follow-up testing can help confirm the level. In a real estate transaction, the inspection report and contract timeline may drive the next step.

Can radon be fixed?

Elevated radon can often be reduced with a properly designed mitigation system.