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Radon Levels in Russell County, Virginia

EPA puts Russell County in Zone 1, its highest radon zone, and high results are common there: 67.3% of the 49 radon tests reported to CDC (2008 to 2017, laboratory totals) came back at or above 4 pCi/L. Homes with elevated levels occur in all three zones, so only a test measures yours.

Data checked By Radon411Methodology

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  • Share at 4+ pCi/L

    67.3%

    36.9 pts above VA

    Russell
    67.3%
    Virginia
    30.4%

    49 tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Median result

    6.7pCi/L

    Action level reached

    Russell
    6.7 pCi/L
    EPA
    4.0 pCi/L

    Midpoint of the tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Tests reported

    49

    76th of 84 by tests

    Russell
    49
    Fairfax
    8,657

    Reported to CDC before any fix, 2008 to 2017

  • EPA radon zone

    Zone 1

    Highest potential

    1. Zone 1
    2. 2
    3. 3

    1 highest, 3 lowest

    EPA predicts over 4 pCi/L indoors

  • Rank in Virginia

    1 of 84

    Top quarter

    Russell
    67.3%
    Russell
    67.3%

    By share, of 84 with 30+ tests

Read a result for Russell County

Starts at Russell County's median, 6.7 pCi/L

6.7pCi/L

EPA’s own thresholds; the figures are the area’s, never this home’s.

EPA’s reading of 6.7 pCi/L

At or above 4 pCi/L

  1. Under 20 to 1.9 pCi/L
  2. 2 to 4consider a fix
  3. 4 and aboveEPA says fix it

This result is at or above 4 pCi/L. EPA recommends fixing a home when the radon level is 4 pCi/L or higher. Russell County's median reported result, 2008 to 2017.

Interpret this readingWhat a fix costs

The data

Russell County, At a glance

Russell County at a glance

Predicted: EPA radon zone

EPA Zone 1: highest predicted potential

EPA puts all of Russell County in and predicts an average indoor of greater than 4 pCi/L (greater than 150 Bq/m³) across the county. That is one forecast for the whole county, not a reading of any address in it; homes above EPA's turn up in all three zones.

USGS geologic potential: High across 84% of the county's area

Predicted: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Measured: tests reported to CDC

Radon tests reported for Russell County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory

Reported results by concentration band, Russell County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
Under 2 pCi/L: 25%2 to 4 pCi/L: 8%4 pCi/L and above: 67%

Of 49 pre-mitigation tests reported to CDC, not homes in this area.

Reported results by concentration band, Russell County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory: data table
Result bandTests MeasuredShare Measured
Under 2 pCi/L1224.5%
2 to 4 pCi/L48.2%
4 pCi/L and above3367.3%
What these figures count

These are the 49 tests reported to CDC for Russell County over 2008 to 2017 (laboratory totals), many from homes being sold or already suspected of a problem: they describe the county's reported tests, not this house.

Measured: CDC tracking data. Figure above: 2008 to 2017, laboratory. Measured data period: 2005 to 2017 (every CDC figure on file).

How to read these figures

Russell County, Compared

Russell County radon figures, compared

Calculated by Radon411

More than half: 67.3% of the 49 radon tests reported to CDC for Russell County over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals read at least 4 pCi/L. That places it 1st of 84 Virginia counties with 30 or more tests for the same period. That is 36.9 points above the 30.4% pooled from 131 Virginia counties.

The median result, 6.7 pCi/L, sits above EPA's 4 pCi/L action level, and the top reported result was 77.3 pCi/L. The rest split 24.5% under 2 pCi/L and 8.2% from 2 to 4 (Virginia: 44.7% and 24.9%). Zone 1 on EPA's map (predicted average above 4 pCi/L) and a 67.3% share point the same way here.

No bordering county with a figure for the same period reported a higher share; the closest is Smyth County at 61.0%, the lowest Wise County at 28.3%. Statewide for the same period, Wythe County reported the highest share (65.5%) and Norfolk city the lowest (2.7%).

CDC's ten-year totals for Russell County went from 53 tests (2005 to 2014) to 49 (2008 to 2017), the share going from 67.9% to 67.3%.

Nationally, every county with a figure for the same period pools to 35.7%; Russell County sits 31.6 points above it. CDC also counts 9 tests taken after mitigation in Russell County for the same period: tests in homes where a fix was already in.

Russell County against Virginia, the United States and nearby counties, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
AreaTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianDifference from Russell County
Russell County4967.3%6.7 pCi/LThis county
Virginia, pooled131 counties, pooled53,19930.4%Not pooled−36.9 points
United States, pooled2,661 counties, pooled2,013,54435.7%Not pooled−31.6 points
Wythe Countyhighest in the state11965.5%6.0 pCi/L−1.8 points
Norfolk citylowest in the state732.7%0.5 pCi/L−64.6 points
Smyth County, VAborders it12361.0%5.5 pCi/L−6.3 points
Washington County, VAborders it38458.1%4.8 pCi/L−9.2 points
Scott County, VAborders it7550.7%4.0 pCi/L−16.6 points
Tazewell County, VAborders it37240.3%2.8 pCi/L−27.0 points
Dickenson County, VAborders it1040.0%3.4 pCi/L−27.3 points
Wise County, VAborders it5328.3%1.3 pCi/L−39.0 points
Buchanan County, VAborders it2025.0%2.7 pCi/L−42.3 points
Where Russell County's reported results fell, 2008 to 2017, laboratory, beside Virginia and the United States
ResultRussell County testsRussell County shareVirginia shareU.S. shareAgainst Virginia
Under 2 pCi/L1224.5%44.7%39.6%−20.2 points
2 to 4 pCi/L48.2%24.9%24.7%−16.7 points
4 pCi/L and above3367.3%30.4%35.7%+36.9 points
Russell County ranked among the 84 Virginia counties with 30 or more tests, by share at or above 4 pCi/L, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
CountyRankTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedian
Russell County1 of 844967.3%6.7 pCi/L
Wythe County2 of 8411965.5%6.0 pCi/L
Carroll County3 of 848961.8%5.0 pCi/L
Smyth County4 of 8412361.0%5.5 pCi/L
Washington County5 of 8438458.1%4.8 pCi/L
Giles County6 of 8417456.9%4.8 pCi/L
Patrick County7 of 845354.7%5.3 pCi/L
Staunton city8 of 8433852.7%4.2 pCi/L
Bristol city9 of 8411050.9%4.2 pCi/L
Rockbridge County10 of 8411450.9%4.0 pCi/L
Scott County11 of 847550.7%4.0 pCi/L
Russell County ten-year laboratory totals, against Virginia's pooled share
PeriodTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianHighestVirginia, pooledChange from the row before
2008 to 20174967.3%6.7 pCi/L77.3 pCi/L30.4%+2.6 points
2007 to 20165164.7%6.6 pCi/L77.3 pCi/L30.6%−3.8 points
2006 to 20155468.5%6.7 pCi/L77.3 pCi/L30.7%+0.6 points
2005 to 20145367.9%6.7 pCi/L77.3 pCi/L30.3%First on file

Pooled shares: Radon411's sum of CDC's county counts for one period.

Russell County, Geology

The ground under Russell County

Predicted

Most of the ground under Russell County is one class on USGS's geologic map: 84.4% of its land is high radon potential, with 15.6% moderate. The map puts 84.4% of Russell County in the area it calls Valley and Ridge and 15.6% in Appalachian Plateau. USGS gives the first a radon index of 15, in the high band (12 to 17), and the second 10, in the moderate band (9 to 11).

USGS's geologic areas under Russell County
AreaThe rock, in USGS's wordsPotentialRadon indexShare of land
Valley and RidgeCambrian dolomite, limestone, shale, and sandstone, Silurian-Ordovician limestone, dolomite, shale, and sandstone, Mississippian-Devonian sandstone, shale, limestone, gypsum, and coal.High1584.4%
Appalachian PlateauPennsylvanian sandstone, shale, and coal.Moderate1015.6%

Names, descriptions and indexes: U.S. Geological Survey, Geologic Radon Potential Map (2025). Shares: Radon411, from the map cut to the boundary.

Russell County beside the ground around it

Russell County has more high-potential ground than Virginia as a whole: 84.4% of its land against 47.9%. Of the 7 counties that border it, 3 have more high-potential ground, Washington County the most at 98.6%.

Share of land by USGS radon potential: Russell County, the 7 counties bordering it and Virginia
AreaEPA zoneLow potentialModerate potentialHigh potential
Russell CountyZone 1None15.6%84.4%
Washington CountyZone 1None1.4%98.6%
Dickenson CountyZone 2None100%None
Buchanan CountyZone 20.2%99.0%0.8%
Tazewell CountyZone 10.1%24.8%75.1%
Scott CountyZone 1None5.9%94.1%
Wise CountyZone 2None89.4%10.6%
Smyth CountyZone 1None5.3%94.7%
Virginia133 counties, pooled by land areaVaries20.6%30.0%47.9%

The map rates the ground, not the air in any home.

Local help

Russell County, Local resources

Radon testing and mitigation in Russell County

What Virginia's program says
Phone
(804) 864-8161
Email
Radon@vdh.virginia.gov
Licensing of radon professionals
The Code of Virginia requires that Radon testers and mitigators be currently certified by either the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB).

What it means

Russell County, Questions

Questions about radon in Russell County

Are radon levels high in Russell County?

Over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals, 67.3% of the radon tests reported to CDC for Russell County, Virginia were at or above 4 pCi/L, and the median reported pre-mitigation result was 6.7 pCi/L. Of 84 Virginia counties with 30 or more tests for the same period, none reported a higher share; pooled, the state comes to 30.4%.

Which counties border Russell County?

Russell County borders 7 counties: Washington County, Dickenson County, Buchanan County, Tazewell County, Scott County, Wise County and Smyth County.

Products

Russell County, Products

Testing a home in Russell County

In Russell County, 67.3% of 49 tests reported to CDC over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals reached 4 pCi/L, against 30.4% pooled across Virginia. In Zone 1 the year-round level in Russell County is the one to know: a long-term test (more than 90 days) or a monitor, with a short-term kit for a first answer.

Test kits and monitors3

See every kit and monitor

Russell County is in EPA Zone 1, the highest predicted radon potential. Best radon monitors for Zone 1 counties like Russell County

Explore

Russell County, Bordering counties

Counties bordering Russell County

Calculated by Radon411

Russell County, Cities and towns

Cities and towns in Russell County

About 25,332 people live in Russell County by the Census Bureau's estimate for July 1, 2025, 429 fewer than in 2020 (−1.7%). That works out to 53 people per square mile of land. No town dominates: Lebanon, the largest, has 3,075 residents, 12.1% of the total. Reported testing is thin here: 49 tests over 2008 to 2017, or 1.9 for every 1,000 residents (2025 estimate), where Virginia as a whole comes to 6.0.

From Lebanon to Cleveland, CDC publishes no figure by town: each reads Russell County's.

The cities and towns in Russell County by residents, July 1, 2025
PlaceResidentsSince 2020Share of residents
Lebanon3,075−2.2%12.1%
Honaker1,191−1.7%4.7%
St. Paulextends beyond Russell County831−3.9%Counted whole
Cleveland136−2.2%0.5%

4 incorporated places, as listed in the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 place reference files. Residents: U.S. Census Bureau population estimates for July 1, 2025 (Vintage 2025). A place that extends beyond Russell County is counted whole, so it has no share.

Russell County, Homes

Homes in Russell County

Of Russell County's 12,772 homes, 72% are detached houses, against 61% across Virginia; 22% are mobile homes. Half of its homes were built before 1979, close to Virginia's 1984: 21% date from before 1960 and 17% from 2000 or later. Owners live in 76% of the occupied homes (Virginia: 67%), so for most households a test and a fix are their own to order.

Homes in Russell County, Virginia, 2019 to 2023
HomesRussell CountyVirginia
Housing units12,7723,654,784
Detached houses72%61%
In buildings of 5 or more2%19%
Mobile homes22%4%
Built before 196021%19%
Built since 200017%25%
Middle year built19791984
Owner-occupied76%67%

Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2019 to 2023: estimates from a sample of homes, looser for a small place. Shares by Radon411.