High radon levels have been found in every state in the nation. However, radon is a significant problem in New York State. Nearly one out of every 6 homes in New York State has elevated radon levels.
Radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in the soil. The gas moves through the soil and finds its way into a home through cracks in the foundation and openings around basement walls.
There are 38 counties in New York that have been designated as high radon risk areas by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency and the New York State Department of Health, because a large percentage of their test results indicate high radon levels. These include the Central New York counties of Cortland, Chemung, Steuben, Allegany, Tioga, Onondaga, Delaware, Oneida, Broome, Madison, Yates, Schuyler, Herkimer, Lewis, Tompkins and Cayuga.
