Understanding Radon Test Reports

​Some contractor test reports use unauthorized mitigation levels and frightening language
​All radon test reports in Utah are not the same! Some are created for tests you buy or receive from a public‑health entity. Others are created for free tests provided by some mitigation contractors whose motives may be more profit than health related. 
​This guide shows the difference so you can interpret your results with confidence.
​1. What a Standard Lab Report Looks Like
These reports follow national standards and use EPA’s actual risk tables.
They are calm, factual, and consistent.
​Standard Lab Report Risk Chart ​
​(Used for tests purchased by individuals or provided by health organizations)
​What this type of report does
  • Uses EPA’s real risk table wording
  • Shows “About how many people out of 1,000 could get lung cancer”
  • Uses the U.S. action level of 4.0 pCi/L
  • Keeps footnotes clear and separate
  • Avoids cigarette‑equivalent comparisons
  • Presents information neutrally
​ This is the format used by health departments, university labs, and independent test providers.
2. What Some Contractor Lab Reports Look Like
​When that contractor submits tests to the lab, the lab attaches the contractor’s custom chart to the report.
​Contractor Lab Risk Chart
​(Appears only on tests submitted by certain contractors)
​​What this type of report does
  • Creates its own risk categories (“Elevated,” “High/unsafe”)
  • Uses cigarette‑equivalent comparisons not found in EPA risk tables
  • Uses WHO’s 2.7 pCi/L action level as if it were U.S. policy
  • Blends EPA and WHO footnotes, making it hard to tell which is which
  • Frames results below 4.0 pCi/L as urgent
  • Uses design elements that feel more like marketing than public health
​This chart does not appear on tests purchased by homeowners or provided by public‑health programs.
​3. Why These Reports Look Different
​The lab produces two versions of reports
  • A standard version for tests purchased by individuals or provided by health entities
  • A contractor version that includes the contractor’s custom risk chart
​The contractor chart uses a different risk model
  • The World Health Organization's (WHO’s) 2.7 pCi/L action level which is not relevant in the U.S.
  • Cigarette‑equivalent comparisons
  • Invented risk categories
  • Mixed footnotes
​The standard chart uses EPA’s actual risk tables
  • “About ___ people out of 1,000”
  • U.S. action level of 4.0 pCi/L
  • Clear, neutral guidance
Homeowners rarely know that the lab attaches different charts depending on who submitted the test.
​4. Side‑by‑Side Summary
Standard Lab Report Vs Contractor Lab Report
Standard Lab Risk Report
Contractor Lab Risk Report
Uses EPA’s actual risk tables
Uses custom risk categories
U.S. action level: 4.0 pCi/L
Uses WHO’s 2.7 pCi/L as if it were U.S. policy
Calm, factual, consistent
Urgent tone, fearful, persuasive framing
Clear footnotes
Mixed EPA + WHO footnotes
Designed to inform
Designed to encourage mitigation
​5. How to Read Your Report with Confidence
  • Look for the action level used (4.0 vs. 2.7 pCi/L)
  • Check whether the risk is expressed as “About ___ people out of 1,000”
  • Notice whether the report uses cigarette comparisons
  • Look for invented categories (“Elevated,” “High/unsafe”)
  • Check whether footnotes clearly match the claims
​Navigator helps you understand your results — not push you toward any particular decision.