About the Radon Section

The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Radon Section conducts outreach activities to educate the public on the risks of radon and how homes can be remediated. These activities include formal educational slide presentations on radon awareness, participation in exhibits and conventions.

A toll-free information line, (800) 648-0394, is maintained to provide information to the public on testing procedures and mitigation techniques. Free information packets are available upon request. The Radon Section has established regulations for the certification of radon measurement and mitigation businesses and their technical staffs to ensure high quality radon services. By law, all companies conducting radon testing and mitigations in New Jersey must be certified by the DEP.

General Information

• An introduction to radon: what it is and where it is found
• Radon Awareness Program
• Radon FAQ
• New Jersey Radon Program Facts

Radon Causes Lung Cancer in Non-Smokers and Smokers Alike

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. On January 13, 2005, Dr. Richard H. Carmona, the U.S. Surgeon General, issued a national health advisory on radon. Visit www.cheec.uiowa.edu/misc/radon.html for more on a study by Dr. William Field on radon-related lung cancer in women.

2015 Revised New Jersey Radon Potential Map

The New Jersey Radon Potential Map represents radon testing data that is received monthly by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection from all certified radon measurement businesses. The map is designed to show the potential for elevated radon concentrations in each municipality.

The map has been revised to include ten years of additional data and provides the most up-to-date designations as determined by over one million radon tests. It is now comprised of testing data from 1985 through 2014. The updated data resulted in changes to eight percent of New Jersey municipalities’ tier designations. Less than two percent (nine municipalities) are added to the tier 1 category as a result of the update.

Attention Radon Professionals

As of April 1, 2016, the Radon Section will no longer administer the certification exam or maintain an approved list of initial and continuing education training courses. The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) will administer the New Jersey exam and maintain a list of all approved training courses that can be taken for New Jersey certification.

To view these changes and all New Jersey certification requirements, click here.