New Mexico Free Radon Test Kit Program
Community Safety & Oversight Bureau
Radiation Control Bureau, Environmental Protection Division
New Mexico Environment Department
The New Mexico Indoor Radon Outreach Program provides free radon test kits through a US EPA grant and informational assistance to residents.
About Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas (Noble Gas “Rn”/Atomic Number 86) found in the soil and bedrock that can enter homes through cracks, gaps, basements, and crawlspaces. It is a daughter product of Uranium-238 with a short half-life. It is invisible, odorless, and highly toxic to humans. Radon is also the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., after cigarette smoke.
Free Radon Test Kits
The New Mexico Environment Department seasonally distributes free radon testing kits to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. It is best to conduct the testing in the winter months when the doors and windows are generally shut.
Common Mistakes
Before starting your radon test, carefully read the instructions included with your kit. Partner laboratories often flag common testing mistakes related to the timing of the test and the speed of its return.
To ensure accurate results, follow these tips:
- Test Duration: Run the short-term test for 3 to 7 days; and,
- Return Promptly: Mail the sealed kit back to the lab immediately after the test ends (postage is prepaid).
Radon in New Mexico
Due to New Mexico’s unique regional geology, high levels of radon that exceed recommended risk-based limits, are common in homes across the state. While no amount of radon is considered entirely safe, the EPA recommends taking immediate action if indoor levels meet or exceed 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). Testing at your home is quick, easy, and the only definitive way to know if levels of Radon in your home pose a health risk to your family. Concentrations exceeding this limit indicate that immediate mitigation is needed to protect human health.
Radon Levels by County
While elevated radon levels are highly prevalent in specific regions of New Mexico (such as the northern mountainous zones and high-altitude areas), dangerous levels requiring mitigation have been detected in homes across all counties of the state.
Reducing Radon Levels
If you have tested your home and found high levels of radon, it is important to take action to reduce your risk. The EPA recommends remediating if indoor radon levels are between 2 and 4 pCi/L, and immediate mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L. The most effective way to lower radon levels is by hiring a certified radon mitigation contractor.
Thanks to US EPA
We want to thank again US EPA State Indoor Radon Grant, which makes this possible. State and tribal radon programs are critical to the NMED’s national goal of minimizing and preventing radon-related lung cancer. States and tribes receive grant funds from EPA that help finance their radon risk reduction programs.
Radon Professionals & Hotlines
To find qualified experts in your area, check the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) Professional Directory. New Mexico utilizes national training leaders, such as the EPA-supported National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University, to direct local professionals toward certification courses in radon measurement and mitigation. There is not currently a certification program within the state.
For live help with technical radon or mitigation questions, you can also use national toll-free lines:
- National Radon Hotline: 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236)
- National Radon Helpline: 1-800-55RADON (1-800-557-2366)
Contact Us
For state-level program inquiries, assistance, or localized outreach requests, contact the bureau staff directly:
- Program Contact: Kay Tauscher (Interim) @ kay.tauscher@env.nm.gov
- Email: radon.questions@env.nm.gov
- Phone: (505) 476-8600 (Bureau Main Line)
- Mailing Address:
Radiation Control Bureau ~ Indoor Radon Unit
New Mexico Environment Department
525 Camino De Los Marquez, Suite 1B, Santa Fe, NM 87505
CE Options for Kansas Certified Professionals
For companies desiring to get certified in Radon mitigation:
- AARST-NRPP continuing education courses: online, home study and classroom type:
- NRSB continuing education courses: online, home study and classroom type:
- Spruce training courses:
- CERTI training courses: