The World Health Organization Reduces Radon Limit to 2.7 pCi/L

In September of 2009 the World Health Organization, or WHO, modified suggested standards for radon in buildings. The previous standards of 4 pCi/l have been lowered to 2.7 pCi/l. This translates into 300 Bq/M3. The new WHO radon level is significantly lower than the radon testing standards set locally by the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA. You should understand what the WHO radon change means. What do the measurements mean? Radon is measured using one of two systems. The systems are picocuries per liter of air (pCi/l) or Becquerel per cubic meter (Bq/M3). Both count the number of radioactive particles in a certain volume of air.


A reading of 2.7 pCi/l is the level where the risk of developing lung cancer becomes pronounced. The World Health Organization arrived at the figure of 300 Bq/M3 by consulting with hundreds of scientists. The Environmental Protection Agency has not adjusted US standards yet. How This Will Affect Property Owners: This will affect property owners by making radon mitigation a more serious option even at a level of 2.7 pCi/L (despite EPA’s regulatory levels of 4.0). Professional companies are more likely to follow the World Health Organization guidelines than outdated Environmental Protection Agency rules.	This means more radon mitigation across the country. The change is actually a benefit because WHO suggestions will limit exposure to even the smallest amounts of radon. Why testing for radon is now so important: The World Health Organization shows radon is the top cause of lung cancer worldwide with the exception of tobacco use. Radon can appear anywhere because all soil contains trace levels of uranium creating the gas. The World Health Organization and the Environmental Protection Agency both recognize the dangers of radon in homes.	If radon testing shows a level of 2.7 pCi/l, then your family is at risk according to the WHO and accepted science. You will want to have radon testing done today even if previous radon measurements were lower than 300 Bq/M3 just to be safe and to conform to the new WHO standards. How to deal with elevated radon screenings: Radon mitigation is the only option if radon testing has shown levels above 300 Bq/M3. Trust WHO guidelines over Environmental Protection Agency regulations.

The EPA has strict rules for radon mitigation to ensure levels drop below 2.7 pCi/l. Radon testing done after radon mitigation can show levels drop from 2.7 pCi/l to almost nothing. The World Health Organization and the EPA both suggest mitigating radon as quickly as possible. Following the new World Health Organization guidelines will protect your family.

U.S. Map of Radon Zones

EPA Map of Radon Zones

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