What Nebraska's figures say
The Nebraska DHHS Radon Program states that Nebraska has a very high incidence of radon in homes, and that more than half of the radon tests in the state come back above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L. That is a statewide figure built from tests people chose to report, so it is not a precise forecast for any one town.
Where Hall County sits
The EPA's map of radon zones sorts counties into three groups by predicted average indoor level. Hall County is in Zone 2, the moderate group, with a predicted average between 2 and 4 pCi/L. Much of eastern Nebraska is in Zone 1, the highest group. The EPA is clear that the map is not a reason to skip testing: high readings turn up in every zone.
Why radon collects in Grand Island homes
- Basements: most homes here have one, and radon enters where the house touches the soil.
- Winter: closed windows and warm indoor air rising through the house pull more soil gas in. Readings are often highest in the heating season.
- Entry points: floor cracks, sump pits, gaps around pipes and the joint where the floor meets the wall.
- New or old: a tight new house can hold radon as easily as an old one.
Why it matters
Breathing radon over many years raises the risk of lung cancer. The U.S. EPA lists it as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among people who have never smoked. The risk is higher still for smokers. The good news is that radon is measurable and fixable.
What to do next
- Test your home. Ask the Central District Health Department about kits, or request a professional test.
- If the result is 4.0 pCi/L or higher, get a quote for radon mitigation.
- Retest after the system is in, and every couple of years after that.
Grand Island Radon is a referral service, not a radon contractor. We do not perform testing or mitigation. Enquiries are passed to an independent local provider licensed by the State of Nebraska, who sets their own prices and terms.