Are Schools Testing for Radon? What Parents and Administrators Should Know

Radon is an invisible health risk that can affect any building, including schools. Because students, teachers, and staff spend many hours indoors, maintaining healthy indoor air quality is an important responsibility for school administrators and facility managers.

But are schools testing for radon? The answer can vary depending on the state, school district, and applicable requirements. While the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends testing all schools, radon testing requirements and procedures are not identical across the country.

For parents and school administrators, understanding why radon testing matters, which areas should be tested, and what happens when elevated levels are found can help support a healthier learning environment.

Why Is Radon Testing Important in Schools?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It can enter buildings through cracks in floors and foundations, construction joints, gaps around pipes, and other openings between the building and the ground.

The challenge is that radon has no smell, color, or taste. You cannot determine whether a school has elevated radon simply by looking at the building. Testing is the only reliable way to identify elevated indoor concentrations.

Long-term exposure to elevated radon increases the risk of lung cancer. The EPA identifies radon as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking.

Schools deserve particular attention because students and staff spend significant amounts of time in classrooms, offices, libraries, and other occupied areas.

According to the EPA's National School Radon Survey, an estimated 19.3% of U.S. schools nearly one in five had at least one frequently occupied ground-contact room with short-term radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L. The EPA recommends action to reduce radon at this level.

This does not mean every school has elevated radon. It demonstrates why assumptions about a school's location or construction are not enough to determine whether testing is necessary.

Are Schools Required to Test for Radon?

Radon testing requirements are not uniform throughout the United States.

The EPA recommends that all schools be tested, but individual states may establish their own requirements, testing schedules, reporting rules, or measurement procedures. Some states have established school radon programs, while others may provide recommendations without requiring routine testing.

School administrators should therefore check with their state radon office and understand the requirements that apply to their district.

Before arranging testing, administrators can review:

• Whether the school has previously been tested

• When the most recent testing was completed

• Which buildings and rooms were included

• Whether elevated levels were identified

• Whether follow-up testing was conducted

• Whether mitigation was required

• Whether the district has an indoor air quality or radon management policy

EPA also maintains state-specific radon resources that administrators can use to find their state's radon program and related information.

What Should Parents Ask About School Radon Testing?

Parents do not need to be radon experts to ask useful questions.

If you are concerned about radon exposure at your child's school, contact the school administration or district facility department and ask whether the building has been tested.

Parents may want to ask:

1. When was the school last tested for radon?

2. Which areas or classrooms were included?

3. Were elevated measurements identified?

4. Was any follow-up testing required?

5. Were corrective measures taken?

6. When is the next assessment planned?

If information is not readily available through the school district, parents can contact their state radon program for additional guidance.

How Does Radon Testing Work in Schools?

School radon testing requires planning because radon concentrations can vary significantly between rooms, floors, and buildings.

The EPA recommends testing frequently occupied schoolrooms that are in contact with the ground.

1. Identify Appropriate Testing Areas

Ground-contact classrooms, occupied lower-level spaces, and other frequently used areas should be considered according to the applicable testing protocol.

Building floor plans can help professionals identify appropriate testing locations and determine the scope of the project.

2. Follow the Appropriate Testing Protocol

The testing method should be selected according to the project's objectives, applicable state requirements, and recognized measurement protocols.

For this reason, administrators should work with a qualified radon professional rather than trying to determine the appropriate testing approach independently.

The professional can evaluate the building, identify testing locations, place the appropriate devices, and interpret the resulting measurements.

3. Review Results and Determine Next Steps

The EPA recommends reducing radon levels when measurements reach or exceed 4 pCi/L. Applicable state requirements should also be considered when interpreting results and determining what happens next.

An elevated measurement does not automatically mean a school must close. Instead, it indicates that the affected area should be evaluated and that appropriate action may be necessary.

What Should Schools Do If Radon Levels Are Elevated?

Finding elevated radon can understandably concern administrators, teachers, staff, and parents. However, radon problems can be addressed through established mitigation approaches.

School officials should work with a qualified radon professional to evaluate affected areas and determine the appropriate response.

Depending on the building and conditions, mitigation may involve systems designed to reduce radon entry and safely vent the gas outdoors.

Follow-up testing can then help determine whether corrective measures have reduced radon concentrations effectively.

Communication is also an important part of the process. Administrators should provide clear information about testing results, planned corrective measures, and follow-up activities so parents and staff understand how the school is responding.

Make Radon Part of Your School's Indoor Air Quality Plan

Radon should not be treated as an isolated building issue. Including radon within a broader indoor air quality management program can help schools organize testing, documentation, communication, and follow-up.

A proactive approach can include:

• Reviewing previous radon testing records

• Understanding state and local requirements

• Identifying frequently occupied ground-contact rooms

• Working with qualified radon professionals

• Documenting test results

• Addressing elevated measurements

• Scheduling follow-up testing when appropriate

• Communicating relevant information with staff and families

EPA's school indoor air quality guidance also recommends maintaining a continuing radon management process, including follow-up testing after mitigation and consideration of testing following major renovations.

Protecting Learning Environments Starts With Testing

So, are schools testing for radon? Some schools and districts have established testing programs, while others may not have tested recently. Requirements vary across the country, but radon remains a nationwide indoor air quality concern.

The EPA recommends testing schools because radon can occur in different types of buildings and cannot be identified without measurement.

For administrators, the first step is to understand the school's testing history, review applicable state guidance, and arrange professional testing when necessary.

For parents, simply asking whether a school has been tested can help raise awareness about indoor air quality.

If your school or district needs radon testing, work with a qualified or certified radon professional who can determine the appropriate testing approach, conduct measurements according to applicable protocols, and help interpret the results.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can a school pass a radon test and still need future testing?

Yes. A previous result represents conditions during that measurement period. Building changes, renovations, ventilation changes, and other factors can affect future radon concentrations, so schools may need additional testing based on applicable guidance.

2. Does a school need to test every classroom?

Not necessarily every classroom under every protocol. Testing scope depends on the applicable requirements and building characteristics. EPA guidance emphasizes frequently occupied rooms that have contact with the ground.

3. Can ventilation alone solve a school's radon problem?

Not necessarily. Increasing ventilation may affect indoor radon, but it is not automatically an appropriate mitigation solution. A qualified professional should evaluate the building and recommend the appropriate corrective approach.

4. Should schools consider radon after major renovations?

Yes. Renovations can change foundations, floors, ventilation, and pressure relationships within a building. EPA recommends considering retesting after major renovations as part of an ongoing radon management program.

5. Where can administrators find state-specific radon information?

Administrators can contact their state radon office for requirements and guidance. The EPA provides a state-by-state directory of radon contacts and related resources for school officials.