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Radon Levels in Wetzel County, West Virginia

EPA puts Wetzel County in Zone 1, its highest radon zone, and 35.2% of its 54 reported radon tests (2008 to 2017, laboratory totals) were 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

    35.2%

    2.3 pts below WV

    Wetzel
    35.2%
    WV
    37.5%

    54 tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Median result

    2.7pCi/L

    Below action level

    Wetzel
    2.7 pCi/L
    EPA
    4.0 pCi/L

    Midpoint of the tests, 2008 to 2017

  • Tests reported

    54

    21st of 27 by tests

    Wetzel
    54
    Berkeley
    2,888

    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 WV

    13 of 27

    Middle half

    Wetzel
    35.2%
    Morgan
    58.1%

    By share, of 27 with 30+ tests

Read a result for Wetzel County

Starts at Wetzel County's median, 2.7 pCi/L

2.7pCi/L

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

EPA’s reading of 2.7 pCi/L

Between 2 and 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 between 2 and 4 pCi/L. EPA recommends considering a fix when the level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L. Wetzel County's median reported result, 2008 to 2017.

Interpret this readingWhat a fix costs

The data

Wetzel County, At a glance

Wetzel County at a glance

Predicted: EPA radon zone

EPA Zone 1: highest predicted potential

EPA puts all of Wetzel 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: Moderate across 100% of the county's area

Predicted: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Measured: tests reported to CDC

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

Reported results by concentration band, Wetzel County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
Under 2 pCi/L: 45%2 to 4 pCi/L: 20%4 pCi/L and above: 35%

Of 54 pre-mitigation tests reported to CDC, not homes in this area.

Reported results by concentration band, Wetzel County, 2008 to 2017, laboratory: data table
Result bandTests MeasuredShare Measured
Under 2 pCi/L2444.4%
2 to 4 pCi/L1120.4%
4 pCi/L and above1935.2%
What these figures count

These are the 54 tests reported to CDC for Wetzel 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

Wetzel County, Compared

Wetzel County radon figures, compared

Calculated by Radon411

In Wetzel County, about 4 in 10 reported tests over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals (19 of 54) were at or above EPA's action level. Against the national pool of 35.7%, the gap is 0.5 points lower. Across 55 West Virginia counties pooled together, 37.5% of tests reached that level, so Wetzel County runs 2.3 points below its state.

Of 7 neighbours with a figure, 3 reported a larger share at or above 4 pCi/L and 4 a smaller one; the spread is 19.0% (Monongalia County) to 58.3% (Monroe County, OH). By share, Wetzel County is 13th of 27 West Virginia counties with 30 or more tests for the same period.

Half the tests came in under 2.7 pCi/L and half over it; the single highest reached 14.5 pCi/L. Below the action level, 24 tests (44.4%) came in under 2 pCi/L, against 37.7% statewide, and 11 tests (20.4%) fell between 2 and 4, against 24.7% statewide.

Zone 1 on EPA's map (predicted average above 4 pCi/L) and a 35.2% share point the same way here. USGS geology rates 100% of the county's land moderate radon potential.

CDC's ten-year totals for Wetzel County went from 49 tests (2005 to 2014) to 54 (2008 to 2017), the share going from 36.7% to 35.2%.

Wetzel County against West Virginia, the United States and nearby counties, 2008 to 2017, laboratory
AreaTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianDifference from Wetzel County
Wetzel County5435.2%2.7 pCi/LThis county
West Virginia, pooled55 counties, pooled10,06137.5%Not pooled+2.3 points
United States, pooled2,661 counties, pooled2,013,54435.7%Not pooled+0.5 points
Morgan Countyhighest in the state24158.1%5.8 pCi/L+22.9 points
Grant Countylowest in the state1649.8%1.1 pCi/L−25.4 points
Monroe County, OHborders it4858.3%5.0 pCi/L+23.1 points
Greene County, PAborders it15439.0%3.3 pCi/L+3.8 points
Harrison County, WVborders it18736.4%2.6 pCi/L+1.2 points
Marshall County, WVborders it25431.9%2.5 pCi/L−3.3 points
Marion County, WVborders it24429.1%2.6 pCi/L−6.1 points
Tyler County, WVborders it3522.9%1.8 pCi/L−12.3 points
Monongalia County, WVborders it1,17619.0%1.9 pCi/L−16.2 points
Doddridge County, WVborders it10.0%0.5 pCi/L−35.2 points
Where Wetzel County's reported results fell, 2008 to 2017, laboratory, beside West Virginia and the United States
ResultWetzel County testsWetzel County shareWest Virginia shareU.S. shareAgainst West Virginia
Under 2 pCi/L2444.4%37.7%39.6%+6.7 points
2 to 4 pCi/L1120.4%24.7%24.7%−4.3 points
4 pCi/L and above1935.2%37.5%35.7%−2.3 points
Wetzel County ranked among the 27 West 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
Ohio County8 of 2785340.3%3.2 pCi/L
Hampshire County9 of 279038.9%2.8 pCi/L
Preston County10 of 2717636.9%2.5 pCi/L
Harrison County11 of 2718736.4%2.6 pCi/L
Randolph County11 of 273336.4%2.5 pCi/L
Wetzel County13 of 275435.2%2.7 pCi/L
Mercer County14 of 2710133.7%2.1 pCi/L
Marshall County15 of 2725431.9%2.5 pCi/L
Pendleton County16 of 275530.9%2.5 pCi/L
Marion County17 of 2724429.1%2.6 pCi/L
Taylor County18 of 273228.1%2.2 pCi/L
Wetzel County ten-year laboratory totals, against West Virginia's pooled share
PeriodTestsAt or above 4 pCi/LMedianHighestWest Virginia, pooledChange from the row before
2008 to 20175435.2%2.7 pCi/L14.5 pCi/L37.5%−0.6 points
2007 to 20165335.8%2.7 pCi/L14.5 pCi/L37.3%−1.5 points
2006 to 20155137.3%3.1 pCi/L14.5 pCi/L37.7%+0.6 points
2005 to 20144936.7%3.1 pCi/L14.5 pCi/L37.3%First on file

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

Wetzel County, Geology

The ground under Wetzel County

Predicted

USGS's geologic map puts all of Wetzel County's mapped land in one class: moderate radon potential. All of it lies in the area the map calls Central Allegheny Plateau, to which USGS gives a radon index of 10, in the moderate band (9 to 11).

USGS's geologic areas under Wetzel County
AreaThe rock, in USGS's wordsPotentialRadon indexShare of land
Central Allegheny PlateauPermian and Pennsylvanian shale, siltstone, sandstone, minor limestone.Moderate1099.7%

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

Wetzel County beside the ground around it

Across West Virginia 18.7% of the land is rated high; none of Wetzel County's is. Of the 8 counties that border it, 2 have more high-potential ground, Greene County, PA the most at 7.7%.

Share of land by USGS radon potential: Wetzel County, the 8 counties bordering it and West Virginia
AreaEPA zoneLow potentialModerate potentialHigh potential
Wetzel CountyZone 1None100%None
Tyler CountyZone 2None100%None
Marshall CountyZone 1None96.8%3.2%
Marion CountyZone 2None100%None
Doddridge CountyZone 2None100%None
Harrison CountyZone 2None100%None
Monroe County, OHZone 2None100%None
Greene County, PAZone 2None92.3%7.7%
Monongalia CountyZone 1None100%None
West Virginia55 counties, pooled by land areaVaries14.0%67.3%18.7%

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

Local help

Wetzel County, Local resources

Radon testing and mitigation in Wetzel County

What West Virginia's program says
Phone
304-352-5039
Email
Radon@wv.gov
Licensing of radon professionals
Complete listings of professionals licensed to perform Asbestos, Lead, Radon and Clandestine Drug Laboratory Remediation activities in West Virginia.

What it means

Wetzel County, Questions

Questions about radon in Wetzel County

Are radon levels high in Wetzel County?

Over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals, 35.2% of the radon tests reported to CDC for Wetzel County, West Virginia were at or above 4 pCi/L, and the median reported pre-mitigation result was 2.7 pCi/L. Of 27 West Virginia counties with 30 or more tests for the same period, 12 reported a higher share; pooled, the state comes to 37.5%.

Which counties border Wetzel County?

Wetzel County borders 8 counties: Tyler County, WV, Marshall County, WV, Marion County, WV, Doddridge County, WV, Harrison County, WV, Monroe County, OH, Greene County, PA and Monongalia County, WV.

Products

Wetzel County, Products

Testing a home in Wetzel County

In Wetzel County, 35.2% of 54 tests reported to CDC over the 2008 to 2017 laboratory totals reached 4 pCi/L, against 37.5% pooled across West Virginia. In Zone 1 the year-round level in Wetzel 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

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

Explore

Wetzel County, Bordering counties

Counties bordering Wetzel County

Calculated by Radon411

Wetzel County, Cities and towns

Cities and towns in Wetzel County

About 13,734 people live in Wetzel County by the Census Bureau's estimate for July 1, 2025, 670 fewer than in 2020 (−4.7%). That works out to 38 people per square mile of land. Its largest town, New Martinsville, has 5,039 residents, 36.7% of the total. CDC's 54 reported tests for 2008 to 2017 work out to 3.9 per 1,000 residents (2025 estimate), close to West Virginia's 5.7.

From New Martinsville to Smithfield, CDC publishes no figure by town: each reads Wetzel County's.

The cities and towns in Wetzel County by residents, July 1, 2025
PlaceResidentsSince 2020Share of residents
New Martinsville5,039−3.3%36.7%
Paden Cityextends beyond Wetzel County2,381−5.9%Counted whole
Pine Grove341−5.8%2.5%
Hundred240−6.3%1.7%
Smithfield96−5.0%0.7%

5 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 Wetzel County is counted whole, so it has no share.

Wetzel County, Homes

Homes in Wetzel County

Of Wetzel County's 7,302 homes, 75% are detached houses, against 71% across West Virginia; 17% are mobile homes. The homes are older than West Virginia's as a whole: half were built before 1963 (1976 for West Virginia), and 46% date from before 1960. Owners live in 82% of the occupied homes (West Virginia: 74%), so for most households a test and a fix are their own to order.

Homes in Wetzel County, West Virginia, 2019 to 2023
HomesWetzel CountyWest Virginia
Housing units7,302859,653
Detached houses75%71%
In buildings of 5 or more4%8%
Mobile homes17%14%
Built before 196046%33%
Built since 20008%18%
Middle year built19631976
Owner-occupied82%74%

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