Radon Mitigation in Sharon
Moderate radon risk from Appalachian Plateau sedimentary rocks modified by Wisconsinan glaciation. Sharon sits in the Shenango River valley where glacial till overlays Mississippian and Pennsylvanian shale and sandstone. The glacial deposit thickness varies significantly across the valley, creating localized zones of higher radon where till is thin over fractured bedrock. Mercer County's steel-industry legacy means extensive older housing stock with substandard foundations.
Moderate Radon Risk Area
Sharon sits in EPA Zone 2 — testing is recommended for every home regardless of age or foundation type.
Local Geology & Risk Factors
Sharon is located in an area with Appalachian Plateau / Glaciated Shenango Valley geology, which contributes to elevated radon levels. The Pennsylvania DEP identifies this region as having significant radon potential due to uranium-bearing rock formations.
Testing is essential because radon levels can vary significantly between neighboring homes based on construction, soil permeability, and ventilation.
See Pennsylvania radon levels and EPA radon zone classifications →
Quick Facts
- Median home value: $79,100 · Median year built: 1948
- Population: 13,019
- Foundation types: Basement (predominant in valley homes); Stone foundation (steel-era worker housing); Crawlspace
Mercer County Context
Sharon is a municipality of Mercer County, EPA Zone 2. Zone designation is assigned at the county level, so Sharon inherits its classification; countywide aggregate figures live on the county page.
See Mercer County radon aggregate data →Measured Radon Data for Sharon
Source: PA DEP RadonZip Tool, January 1990 – December 2025 · Updated 2026-05-20
Radon Mitigation Cost in Sharon
Active sub-slab depressurization (ASD) systems in Sharon typically cost $850–$2,150. Standard basement installs on modern poured concrete fall at the lower end; historic foundations, block-wall depressurization, multi-point suction, and crawlspace encapsulation push costs higher.
Foundations covered locally
- Basement (predominant in valley homes)
- Stone foundation (steel-era worker housing)
- Crawlspace
Systems used in the region
- Active sub-slab depressurization
- Block wall depressurization
- Sump encapsulation
Certification & Compliance
All Pennsylvania radon testing and mitigation professionals must hold active PA DEP certification. Ask any contractor for their certification number and verify it before signing.
Pennsylvania's Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law (68 Pa.C.S. §§ 7301–7315) requires sellers to disclose known material defects to buyers under § 7303; the mandated disclosure form records radon under § 7304(b)(14). Sellers who have never tested are not compelled to test — § 7308 imposes no affirmative duty to investigate — but pre-listing testing is standard practice across most PA markets.
Under 25 Pa. Code § 240 — the Pennsylvania chapter governing radon certification — every radon service provider working in the Commonwealth must hold current DEP certification. Verify the contractor's status via the DEP Radon Services Directory before hiring.
Verify Contractor Certification — PA DEP Official Directory for Sharon, Mercer County
View PA DEP Certified Contractor DirectoryThe PA Department of Environmental Protection maintains the official list of certified radon testers and mitigators, sorted by county and updated monthly. Always verify certification before hiring any contractor.
Directory resource provided by PA DEP Bureau of Radiation Protection, Radon Division.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does glaciation affect radon levels in Sharon?
Wisconsinan glaciation deposited till of varying thickness across the Shenango Valley. Where glacial deposits are thick, they act as a buffer between fractured bedrock and home foundations, reducing radon entry. Where till is thin — often on valley slopes and ridges — fractured Mississippian shale is closer to the surface and radon concentrations can be significantly higher. A home's radon level in Sharon depends heavily on its specific position relative to glacial deposit thickness.
Do older steel-era homes in Sharon have higher radon risk?
Sharon's steel-industry worker housing from the early 1900s frequently has hollow concrete block or fieldstone foundations with poor vapor barriers and unfinished basements. These construction characteristics increase radon entry rates. Combined with the Shenango Valley's variable glacial geology, older homes in Sharon should be tested regardless of neighborhood-level averages.
What does radon mitigation cost in Sharon?
Sharon area radon mitigation typically costs $850–$2,150. Older block and stone foundation homes cost more than standard poured concrete. The lower cost range reflects Sharon's smaller average home sizes and Mercer County's moderate radon levels. Request quotes from DEP-certified Mercer County contractors.
What's the average radon level in Sharon?
Sharon's DEP-recorded basement average is 2.74 pCi/L across 508 tests. The EPA action level for mitigation is 4.0 pCi/L, so a meaningful share of Sharon homes exceed the threshold. The highest single result in the local dataset is 32.6 pCi/L.
Do homes in Sharon need to be tested for radon?
Mercer County is EPA Zone 2, meaning the county has moderate radon potential and elevated readings are common enough that all Sharon homes should be tested. Short-term charcoal or continuous monitor tests take 48–96 hours and cost $15–$50; long-term alpha-track tests run 90 days and better represent annual averages. If the result meets or exceeds 4.0 pCi/L, mitigation by a DEP-certified professional is recommended.
How much does radon mitigation cost in Sharon?
Active sub-slab depressurization (ASD) systems in the Sharon area typically cost $850–$2,150. Standard basement installations on modern poured-concrete foundations fall at the lower end; historic foundations, block-wall depressurization, multi-point suction, and crawlspace encapsulation push costs toward the upper end. All work must be performed by a DEP-certified mitigation professional under 25 Pa. Code § 240.
Is radon disclosure required when selling a home in Sharon?
Pennsylvania's Real Estate Seller Disclosure Law (68 Pa.C.S. §§ 7301–7315) requires residential sellers to disclose known material defects to buyers (§ 7303). The state-mandated disclosure form covers 'presence of hazardous substances' at § 7304(b)(14) — where any known elevated radon test result or existing mitigation system is recorded. Sellers who have never tested are not required to test: § 7308 imposes no affirmative duty to investigate. In Sharon, the practical reality is that most buyers request radon testing during the inspection contingency period. Sellers who test and mitigate before listing eliminate the most common contract contingency and preserve negotiating position.
Which ZIP codes does the Sharon radon data cover?
The Sharon radon dataset on this page covers ZIP code 16146. These are the ZCTAs assigned to Sharon in the Census 2020 ZCTA-to-Place relationship file and used for the PA DEP RadonZip Tool aggregation. Neighboring ZIP codes belong to adjacent municipalities and appear on their own PA Radon Hub pages.
Are Sharon-area public schools subject to SB 760?
Mercer County is in EPA Zone 2 and is served by 14 school districts, including Sharon City School District. Pennsylvania Senate Bill 760, if enacted as drafted, would apply to all public school buildings in Mercer County regardless of which district operates them. The bill remains in committee. Buildings in Zone 2 counties like Mercer County would be included in the proposed framework. If SB 760 is enacted, mitigation timelines, thresholds, and qualifying buildings would be set by the final bill text and any subsequent DEP implementing regulations. PA Radon Hub tracks this legislation; specific deadlines remain pending.
Connect with a DEP-Certified Radon Pro in Sharon
Submit your request and we will connect you with a DEP-certified professional serving Mercer County.
(717) 461-2427Connect with a DEP-certified radon pro