What EPA's radon map says about Howard County

EPA places Howard County in Zone 3 - Low Potential — a predicted county-wide average indoor radon level below 2 pCi/L, based on the geology, soil and aerial radioactivity data behind EPA's national map. Nationally, Howard County ranks higher in radon potential than 8% of rated counties (the 8th percentile).

Howard County by the numbers

About 12,387 people live in Howard County, Arkansas, spread over 587.332 square miles. Averaged across its land area, Howard County runs about 21 people per square mile. Among counties sharing Howard County's EPA zone, it outranks 26% of them by population. Howard County falls in EPA Radon Region 6, one of 503 counties nationally EPA assigns to that same geologic province.

Why the zone isn't the answer by itself

Well clear of both the 1.3 pCi/L national indoor average and EPA's 4 pCi/L action level, Howard County's Zone 3 prediction is the low end of the scale. A Zone 3 rating means Howard County's county-wide average is predicted low, but EPA is explicit that a meaningful share of homes in low-potential zones still test above the action level — a low zone is not a reason to skip testing.

Testing and mitigation in Howard County

Mitigation cost doesn't depend on Howard County's zone — it depends on the house's foundation. A typical system runs $800–$2,500 (about $1,200 typical), and testing first is what tells you whether that's needed at all.

Find Arkansas's state radon program

Howard County's test kit answers today; a Airthings radon monitor keeps answering for Howard County over time. Affiliate link, RadonZoneCheck earns a commission there, at no extra cost to you. Code RADONZONE-10OFF takes 10% off at checkout.

More on how this number was built

Howard County's zone, rank and region all trace back to named EPA and Census sources — the methodology guide lists exactly which ones. Whatever zone Howard County carries, the zone explainer covers what it does and doesn't tell you about any one house.