Nanticoke sits in EPA Zone 1, the highest risk classification for radon exposure in Pennsylvania. The city's location in the heart of the anthracite coal region creates an unprecedented radon challenge. Beneath Nanticoke lies a geological story written over millions of years - Pennsylvanian-age rock formations rich in uranium deposits that continuously generate radon gas through natural radioactive decay.
The anthracite coal mining legacy dramatically amplifies this natural radon risk. From the 1800s through the mid-1900s, extensive deep mining operations beneath Nanticoke created vast underground voids and interconnected tunnels. These mining structures now serve as superhighways for radon gas migration. Where solid bedrock once contained uranium decay products, coal extraction created fractured zones and direct pathways allowing radon to rise rapidly from deep geological formations into home foundations.
Nanticoke's position along the Susquehanna River in the Wyoming Valley compounds the issue. The valley's bowl-like topography traps radon gas, while the river's flood plain features highly permeable soils that offer minimal resistance to radon movement. Mining subsidence has altered ground structures throughout Nanticoke, creating unpredictable radon patterns where adjacent homes can show dramatically different levels.
Professional making certified radon mitigation systems essential for home safety throughout Luzerne County's coal region.