What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from decaying uranium rock underground. It moves up through the soil into your home through cracks and crevices in the foundation and gets trapped inside, often building up over time. If your home has a well, radon gas can also evaporate from the well water. This raises radon levels in the air you breathe.
Breathing in elevated radon in your home over many years increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among people who don’t smoke. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer among smokers or people with a history of smoking. Lung cancer risk is much higher for smokers who are exposed to elevated radon levels.
Why track radon levels and testing rates?
Tracking radon allows us to identify areas with low testing rates. We can also identify areas with higher radon test results. This information can inform interventions, such as a statewide policy. Policy regarding residential radon can only be found in the Massachusetts' Building Code, Appendix F.
It requires passive mitigation systems to be installed in one- or two-family homes. However, this code is applicable only for Essex, Middlesex, and Worcester Counties. There is no statewide policy on radon and radon exposure. Learn more about Radon in the Massachusetts’ Building Code - New Construction in Essex, Worcester, and Middlesex Counties
MA EPHT radon data can be an important tool for creating protections for residents. A policy could allow for funding to support the installation of mitigation systems. This could be especially meaningful for more vulnerable populations.
Tracking radon can also help communities take a data-driven approach to radon. This gives people tools that they can use now to protect themselves. Here are some things you can do to help in your neighborhood today!
- Share this website. Share the information and resources here with your friends, family, and neighbors.
- Engage your community. Raise awareness among all people who live, work, and play there. This could include town and district representatives, nonprofit organizations, and those who run public spaces.
- Organize a community fundraiser and testing initiative. Find out what resources are in your municipality.
- Are you a healthcare or public health professional? Tell your patients about the risks of radon or share this website. Find resources for speaking to patients – CDC Radon Information for Healthcare Providers
Who is affected by radon?
No area of Massachusetts is risk free. Any home can have high levels of radon, new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes, and homes with or without basements. Even two homes right next to each other can have very different radon levels.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set an “action level” for radon at 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter). You should fix (“mitigate”) your home if radon is above the action level. There is no lowest level of radon that doesn’t pose a health risk. The EPA recommends that you consider mitigation if your home’s radon level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
In Massachusetts, it is estimated that 650,000 homes have radon levels above 4 pCi/L, with 34,000 homes having levels over 20 pCi/L.
Certain groups may be more likely to live in communities with low testing for radon, such as renters or those living in poverty. There are also groups who are more vulnerable to the effects of radon, such as children and people who smoke.
How do I know if there is radon in my home?
The only way to know the radon levels in your home is to test. Winter is the best time to test your home because windows and doors are closed, and the heating system is on. If you test your home in the summer and get a low number, test again in the winter. Radon levels can change with the season.
If your home has a well, test your well water in addition to your air. Radon from well water escapes from faucets into the air, contributing to the overall radon levels you breathe.
If your home already has a radon mitigation system in place, it is important to test at least every two years to make certain the system is working effectively, and radon levels are below the action level of 4 pCi/L.
Visit MA DPH - Radon for more information on how to test for radon, evaluating radon tests, and the dos and don’ts of radon testing.
Are you a renter?
There are no Massachusetts laws that require homes, including rented units, to be tested or mitigated for radon. Ask your landlord if they have tested for radon. If they have, ask to see the test results. If they haven’t tested, ask them to test or conduct the test yourself. You do not need permission from the property owner to test your dwelling for radon. Tell the building owner in writing about your test results. Ask what steps the owner will take to fix the problem.
If you live in an apartment building, you can share your radon information with your neighbors. Since radon levels can vary from unit to unit, your neighbors might want to test their own units or discuss the issue with the owner as well.
How can I reduce radon levels?
To reduce radon levels in the home, hire a certified radon mitigation professional. A mitigation professional can install a radon mitigation system for air, well-water, or both. Radon in air mitigation systems typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000 and can be installed in less than a day. Radon in water systems typically cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
When hiring a contractor, make sure they are certified by the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists - National Radon Proficiency Program (AARST-NRPP) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB). A link to certified mitigators can be found at DPH - Nationally Certified Radon Mitigation Professionals.
The BCEH Division of Healthy Homes and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention’s (DHHL) Radon Unit advises and assists residents of the Commonwealth with their radon questions. To get more information about radon testing and mitigation, please visit https://www.mass.gov/radon.
You can contact the Radon Unit at the information below:
Email: DPHIAQ.radon@mass.gov
Radon Information Line: (800) 723-6695
Website: https://www.mass.gov/radon
Financial resources to reduce radon levels
There are no direct financial assistance funds or resources for radon mitigation systems. However, there are still options. Look below to find financial resources that may be relevant to you or your organization.
For state agencies, tribes, municipalities, and nonprofits
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Funding from all major programs can be used by grantees to invest in radon testing and mitigation within the environmental review process. A list of programs can be found on page 11 of HUD Notice CPD-23-103.
- EPA Tribal Income Air Quality Training and Resource Directory. Developed alongside The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and The National Tribal Air Association, this interactive document has resources on funding and tools that can be used for radon testing and mitigation, among other issues of indoor air quality.
- EPA Environmental Justice Grants. The EPA offers the following two environmental justice grants. Funds from these grants can be put towards increasing air quality and radon mitigation. The grants can be used in historically oppressed and disadvantaged communities.
For individuals, homeowners, and homebuyers
- USDA Grants and Loans. The USDA offers the following options for home buyers and owners in rural areas. Not sure if you’d qualify? Use the USDA’s Eligibility Site.
- Direct Home Loans. Available to low or very low-income individuals looking to buy homes in rural areas. Fund can be used for repairs identified by third-party inspection, such as radon mitigation.
- 504 Rehabilitation Loan and Grant Program. For homes in rural areas. The loan program assists very low-income individuals with repairs and home improvements. Grants are also available for homeowners of very low income who are 62 years of age or older.
- 203(K) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program. This program is also offered through HUD. It allows homeowners to purchase or refinance home repairs if the home is at least 1 year old.
- MassHousing Loans for Homeowners. MassHousing offers loans that can be used for home repairs and remediations. Loans are limited to those who meet the income eligibility limits.
Additionally, some Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA) may allow money to go towards radon mitigation. Check with your plan administrator.
How does MA EPHT track radon testing?
MA EPHT collects at home radon testing data from 10 NRPP and NRSB certified labs that service Massachusetts. The data is used to calculate summary measures of home testing rates and radon levels. These measures are presented by city/town and county in an interactive data dashboard. The dashboard includes charts and mapping features.
Available data
Use the Explore Radon Data link to access the following measures by city/town and by county. The most current available data will be shown. Be sure to check the site periodically for new data as it becomes available:
- Number of Tests
- Average Test Result (Geometric Mean)
- Median, Minimum and Maximum Test Result
- Number and Percent of Tests ≤2 pCi/L
- Number and Percent of Tests ≥2 pCi/L
- Number and Percent of Tests ≥4 pCi/L
- Test Rate per 1,000 Occupied Housing Units
Related links
Additional resources
Massachusetts
- Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program: This website offers information for quitting smoking, as well as other resources about smoking and tobacco use statewide.
- Massachusetts Community statistics and tobacco policies data: Data and information on tobacco related inequities, the impacts of tobacco, and tobacco use across communities in Massachusetts.
National
- US EPA Radon in Schools: General information on radon in schools as well as testing and mitigation standards and guidance.
- US EPA Health Risks of Radon: A detailed page that discusses the health risks of radon, including a detailed chart that demonstrates the increased risk for lung cancer for smokers and those being exposed to radon.
- CRCPD Reducing the Risk From Radon: Information and Interventions: Developed by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, this guide was designed to furnish health care providers with the information they need to reduce their patients' exposures to radon.
- EPA Radon: The Environmental Protection Agency's main page on radon, with many informational links and resources.
- ANSI/AARST Radon Standards: relevant to schools include: (1) AARST/ANSI Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon and Radon Decay Products in Schools and Large buildings; (2) AARST/ANSI Radon Mitigation Standards for Schools and Large Buildings; and (3) AARST/ANSI Soil Gas Control Systems in New Construction of Buildings (which would apply to new schools).
- National Environmental Public Health Tracking content page for radon: Contains information about radon and health, radon testing, and resources.
