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Radon in North Dakota: Levels by County and EPA Zones

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

Radon is a statewide concern in North Dakota: all 53 counties are in EPA Zone 1, the group with the highest predicted indoor radon levels. Find your county below, then learn how to test your home and what to do if the result is high.

53 of 53counties in EPA Zone 1 (highest potential)
0 of 53counties in Zone 2 (moderate)
0 of 53counties 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

Cass: EPA radon Zone 1Dickey: EPA radon Zone 1Nelson: EPA radon Zone 1Renville: EPA radon Zone 1Griggs: EPA radon Zone 1Slope: EPA radon Zone 1Richland: EPA radon Zone 1Towner: EPA radon Zone 1Ransom: EPA radon Zone 1Billings: EPA radon Zone 1McHenry: EPA radon Zone 1Bottineau: EPA radon Zone 1Logan: EPA radon Zone 1Barnes: EPA radon Zone 1Stutsman: EPA radon Zone 1Cavalier: EPA radon Zone 1Rolette: EPA radon Zone 1Hettinger: EPA radon Zone 1Steele: EPA radon Zone 1LaMoure: EPA radon Zone 1Oliver: EPA radon Zone 1Morton: EPA radon Zone 1Walsh: EPA radon Zone 1McLean: EPA radon Zone 1Williams: EPA radon Zone 1Mercer: EPA radon Zone 1Sioux: EPA radon Zone 1Pembina: EPA radon Zone 1Traill: EPA radon Zone 1Ramsey: EPA radon Zone 1Grand Forks: EPA radon Zone 1Mountrail: EPA radon Zone 1Divide: EPA radon Zone 1Grant: EPA radon Zone 1Sargent: EPA radon Zone 1Bowman: EPA radon Zone 1Golden Valley: EPA radon Zone 1McIntosh: EPA radon Zone 1Stark: EPA radon Zone 1Ward: EPA radon Zone 1Pierce: EPA radon Zone 1Sheridan: EPA radon Zone 1McKenzie: EPA radon Zone 1Adams: EPA radon Zone 1Burke: EPA radon Zone 1Kidder: EPA radon Zone 1Eddy: EPA radon Zone 1Foster: EPA radon Zone 1Benson: EPA radon Zone 1Emmons: EPA radon Zone 1Dunn: EPA radon Zone 1Wells: EPA radon Zone 1Burleigh: EPA radon Zone 1
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 North Dakota

The table lists the EPA radon zone for each of the 53 counties in North Dakota. The zone shows the predicted average indoor radon screening level for homes in that county.

CountyEPA zonePredicted average indoor level
AdamsZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BarnesZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BensonZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BillingsZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BottineauZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BowmanZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BurkeZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
BurleighZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
CassZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
CavalierZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
DickeyZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
DivideZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
DunnZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
EddyZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
EmmonsZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
FosterZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
Golden ValleyZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
Grand ForksZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
GrantZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
GriggsZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
HettingerZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
KidderZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
LaMoureZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
LoganZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
McHenryZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
McIntoshZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
McKenzieZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
McLeanZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
MercerZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
MortonZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
MountrailZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
NelsonZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
OliverZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
PembinaZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
PierceZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
RamseyZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
RansomZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
RenvilleZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
RichlandZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
RoletteZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
SargentZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
SheridanZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
SiouxZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
SlopeZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
StarkZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
SteeleZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
StutsmanZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
TownerZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
TraillZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
WalshZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
WardZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
WellsZone 1Above 4 pCi/L
WilliamsZone 1Above 4 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 North Dakota: 53 counties (100%).
  • Zone 2 (moderate potential): predicted average between 2 and 4 pCi/L. In North Dakota: 0 counties (0%).
  • Zone 3 (low potential): predicted average below 2 pCi/L. In North Dakota: 0 counties (0%).

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.

North Dakota counties with the highest radon potential

Every county in North Dakota is in Zone 1: Adams, Barnes, Benson, Billings, Bottineau, Bowman, Burke, Burleigh, Cass, Cavalier, Dickey, Divide, Dunn, Eddy, Emmons, Foster, Golden Valley, Grand Forks, Grant, Griggs, Hettinger, Kidder, LaMoure, Logan, McHenry, McIntosh, McKenzie, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Mountrail, Nelson, Oliver, Pembina, Pierce, Ramsey, Ransom, Renville, Richland, Rolette, Sargent, Sheridan, Sioux, Slope, Stark, Steele, Stutsman, Towner, Traill, Walsh, Ward, Wells, Williams.

How to test for radon in North Dakota

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 North Dakota DEQ Radon Program. 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 North Dakota 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

North Dakota radon program

The North Dakota DEQ Radon Program 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 North Dakota?

53 of North Dakota’s 53 counties are in EPA Zone 1, where the predicted average indoor radon level is above 4 pCi/L, and 0 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 North Dakota counties have the highest radon potential?

The 53 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 North Dakota?

The North Dakota DEQ Radon Program answers questions about testing, results and certified professionals. Phone: 701-328-5166.

Sources