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Radon in Idaho: Levels by County and EPA Zones

Updated November 2026 · Data: EPA Map of Radon Zones · Sources

Idaho has a mix of radon risk: 19 counties are in EPA Zone 1 (highest potential), 20 in Zone 2 and 5 in Zone 3. Find your county below, then learn how to test your home and what to do if the result is high.

19 of 44counties in EPA Zone 1 (highest potential)
20 of 44counties in Zone 2 (moderate)
5 of 44counties in Zone 3 (low)

Your county’s zone is not your home’s radon level. Homes with high radon are found in every zone. The EPA recommends testing every home, whatever its zone.

Map of EPA radon zones by county

Lincoln: EPA radon Zone 2Benewah: EPA radon Zone 1Boundary: EPA radon Zone 1Custer: EPA radon Zone 1Jefferson: EPA radon Zone 2Valley: EPA radon Zone 1Gem: EPA radon Zone 3Lemhi: EPA radon Zone 1Idaho: EPA radon Zone 1Cassia: EPA radon Zone 2Blaine: EPA radon Zone 1Gooding: EPA radon Zone 1Oneida: EPA radon Zone 2Boise: EPA radon Zone 1Bonneville: EPA radon Zone 2Shoshone: EPA radon Zone 1Jerome: EPA radon Zone 2Kootenai: EPA radon Zone 1Elmore: EPA radon Zone 1Fremont: EPA radon Zone 1Bonner: EPA radon Zone 1Camas: EPA radon Zone 1Minidoka: EPA radon Zone 2Bannock: EPA radon Zone 2Teton: EPA radon Zone 2Payette: EPA radon Zone 2Clark: EPA radon Zone 1Power: EPA radon Zone 2Lewis: EPA radon Zone 3Nez Perce: EPA radon Zone 3Twin Falls: EPA radon Zone 2Butte: EPA radon Zone 1Clearwater: EPA radon Zone 1Adams: EPA radon Zone 3Bear Lake: EPA radon Zone 2Franklin: EPA radon Zone 2Latah: EPA radon Zone 1Owyhee: EPA radon Zone 2Madison: EPA radon Zone 2Bingham: EPA radon Zone 2Washington: EPA radon Zone 3Ada: EPA radon Zone 2Canyon: EPA radon Zone 2Caribou: EPA radon Zone 2
Zone 1 (highest potential)Zone 2Zone 3Source: U.S. EPA Map of Radon Zones (June 2024 data file). County boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau via us-atlas.

Radon zones by county in Idaho

The table lists the EPA radon zone for each of the 44 counties in Idaho. The zone shows the predicted average indoor radon screening level for homes in that county.

CountyEPA zonePredicted average indoor level
AdaZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
AdamsZone 3Below 2 pCi/L
BannockZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
Bear LakeZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
BenewahZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BinghamZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
BlaineZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BoiseZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BonnerZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BonnevilleZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
BoundaryZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
ButteZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
CamasZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
CanyonZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
CaribouZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
CassiaZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
ClarkZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
ClearwaterZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
CusterZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
ElmoreZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
FranklinZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
FremontZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
GemZone 3Below 2 pCi/L
GoodingZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
IdahoZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
JeffersonZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
JeromeZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
KootenaiZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
LatahZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
LemhiZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
LewisZone 3Below 2 pCi/L
LincolnZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
MadisonZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
MinidokaZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
Nez PerceZone 3Below 2 pCi/L
OneidaZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
OwyheeZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
PayetteZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
PowerZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
ShoshoneZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
TetonZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
Twin FallsZone 22 to 4 pCi/L
ValleyZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
WashingtonZone 3Below 2 pCi/L
Source: U.S. EPA Map of Radon Zones (data file published June 2024).

What the EPA radon zones mean

  • Zone 1 (highest potential): predicted average indoor screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. In Idaho: 19 counties (43%).
  • Zone 2 (moderate potential): predicted average between 2 and 4 pCi/L. In Idaho: 20 counties (45%).
  • Zone 3 (low potential): predicted average below 2 pCi/L. In Idaho: 5 counties (11%).

The EPA built the map from indoor radon measurements, geology, soil permeability and type of house foundation. It was made to help governments and builders target resources, not to decide whether a single home needs testing.

Idaho counties with the highest radon potential

19 counties in Idaho are in Zone 1: Benewah, Blaine, Boise, Bonner, Boundary, Butte, Camas, Clark, Clearwater, Custer, Elmore, Fremont, Gooding, Idaho, Kootenai, Latah, Lemhi, Shoshone, Valley.

How to test for radon in Idaho

Testing is the only way to know your home’s radon level. Short-term test kits (2 to 90 days) are sold at hardware stores and online, and some state programs offer kits at low cost; check with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Indoor Environment Program: Radon. Test in the lowest lived-in level of the home, with windows and doors closed, and follow the kit instructions.

  • Do-it-yourself kits: a simple, low-cost first step for your own home.
  • Long-term tests (more than 90 days): give a better picture of your home’s year-round average.
  • Certified professionals: look for certification from the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB), and ask the state program whether Idaho requires a state license.
  • Buying or selling a home: ask for a radon test as part of the home inspection.

If your radon level is high

The EPA recommends fixing your home if the radon level is 4 pCi/L or higher, and considering a fix between 2 and 4 pCi/L. The most common fix is a radon mitigation system (sub-slab depressurization), which pulls radon from under the foundation and vents it outside, above the roof line.

  • The EPA says most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs; the price depends on the size and design of the home.
  • Get estimates from more than one qualified, certified mitigation contractor. See our radon mitigation cost guide for typical prices.
  • Test again after the system is installed, and retest every few years.

Learn more: safe radon levels · how to test · test kits compared · radon and home sales · radon in well water

Idaho radon program

Radon rules and programs in Idaho

  • Child care: Idaho rules require children’s residential care facilities to be free of hazards including radon and to document radon testing (IDAPA 16.06.02).

Contact

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Indoor Environment Program: Radon answers questions from residents about radon testing, results and certified professionals.

Contact details as listed by the state radon program directory. Please confirm on the program’s website before calling.

Frequently asked questions

Is radon a problem in Idaho?

19 of Idaho’s 44 counties are in EPA Zone 1, where the predicted average indoor radon level is above 4 pCi/L, and 20 are in Zone 2 (2 to 4 pCi/L). High levels can be found in any home, so testing is the only way to know.

Which Idaho counties have the highest radon potential?

The 19 counties in EPA Zone 1 have the highest predicted average levels. You can find them in the table above and in the Zone 1 list.

What radon level is safe?

There is no known safe level of radon. The EPA recommends fixing your home at 4 pCi/L or higher and considering a fix between 2 and 4 pCi/L.

Who can I contact about radon in Idaho?

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, Indoor Environment Program: Radon answers questions about testing, results and certified professionals. Phone: 1-800-445-8647.

Sources