Lea County, NM: EPA's radon zone, explained

Lea County is mapped as Zone 2 - Moderate Potential by EPA — meaning the county-wide average indoor level is predicted between 2 and 4 pCi/L. Nationally, Lea County ranks higher in radon potential than 58% of rated counties (the 58th percentile).

How Lea County compares

Lea County, New Mexico is home to about 75,151 people across 4,391.552 square miles. That works out to roughly 17 people per square mile. By population, Lea County is the 248th largest of every county sharing its EPA zone — the 76th percentile by population within that zone. EPA's geology-based Region 6 groups Lea County with 502 other counties nationally sharing its underlying rock and soil profile.

Zone vs. an actual test

Lea County's predicted average falls between EPA's 4 pCi/L action level and the national indoor average of about 1.3 pCi/L (outdoor air runs roughly 0.4 pCi/L). Nothing about a Zone 2 label lowers the case for testing in Lea County — EPA recommends it in every zone, moderate included.

Next steps for a home in Lea County

For a Lea County homeowner, the order is simple: test first, since a kit costs a small fraction of what mitigation would. Only if the result clears 4 pCi/L does a system — typically $800–$2,500, about $1,200 for a common install — become worth pricing out.

Find New Mexico's state radon program

For Lea County, an ongoing number beats a one-time test - a Airthings radon monitor tracks Lea County's levels over time. RadonZoneCheck earns a commission there, at no extra cost to you. Code RADONZONE-10OFF takes 10% off at checkout.

Where Lea County's figures come from

Lea County's zone, rank and region all trace back to named EPA and Census sources — the methodology guide lists exactly which ones. The guide to what a radon zone actually means covers why testing matters in every zone, not just Zone 1.