Radon cannot be seen or smelled, so it is easy to overlook during a home purchase. This reference brings together the state and federal figures that help Pennsylvania buyers and homeowners understand why testing is a separate, practical question. Each statistic links to its original source and includes the source period, so it can be checked and cited accurately.
Key figures
Pennsylvania radon at a glance
About 40%
of tested Pennsylvania homes were above the EPA action guideline
Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection says this share of tested homes had radon levels above 4 picocuries per liter. Test results are not a prediction for every home.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, current guidance$20 to $30
typical cost for a home radon test kit
Pennsylvania DEP says an easy-to-use home test kit is generally available at hardware or home-improvement stores in this price range.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, current guidance4 pCi/L
EPA radon action guideline
EPA recommends action at or above 4 picocuries per liter. A test is the only way to know a specific home’s radon level.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, updated June 24, 20261.3 pCi/L
average indoor radon level in the U.S.
EPA uses this national average as context for its lifetime-risk comparisons. It is not a prediction for a particular Pennsylvania home.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, updated June 24, 20267 in 1,000
lifetime lung cancer risk at 4 pCi/L for people who never smoked
EPA’s table presents a lifetime comparison for 1,000 never-smokers exposed to this level. Smoking raises the associated risk substantially.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, updated June 24, 2026About 21,000
annual U.S. lung cancer deaths linked to radon
EPA’s estimate is national, not Pennsylvania-specific. The agency also identifies radon as the leading cause of lung cancer among people who have never smoked.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, updated June 24, 2026How to read these figures
Useful context, not a prediction for one property.
Pennsylvania’s statewide testing figure describes homes that have been tested. It does not tell you the result for a specific property, neighborhood, or ZIP code. A separate measurement is the only way to know a home’s radon level.
A standard home inspection is a visual evaluation of accessible components. Radon is invisible, so buyers often discuss a separate radon test alongside a visual inspection. The result can then inform the right next question before closing.
Methodology and sources
Where these numbers come from
This page uses public guidance from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The figures reflect the agencies’ stated current guidance or update date. Figures are updated when a primary source releases a meaningful new number.
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: Radon in the Home, current statewide testing guidance.
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Health Risk of Radon, updated June 24, 2026.
Last reviewed: September 21, 2026.
Cite this page
Remidy Home Inspections. Pennsylvania Radon Statistics: 2026 Guide. Updated September 21, 2026. https://remidyhomeinspections.com/resources/pennsylvania-radon-statistics
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