What is radon?
Radon is a radioactive gas that naturally occurs from the breakdown of certain rocks underground. It can move from there into groundwater. It also moves up through the soil and can enter your home through cracks and crevices in the foundation. As radon gets trapped inside, it often builds up over time. If your home has a private drinking water well, radon gas can also evaporate from the well water. This raises radon levels in the air you breathe.
Breathing in air with elevated levels of 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 people who smoke. Lung cancer risk is much higher for people who smoke and are exposed to elevated radon levels.
Why track radon levels and testing rates?
Tracking radon allows us to identify areas with low testing rates and areas with high radon levels. This information can inform interventions and policies at the local and state level.
For example, passive mitigation systems are required to be installed in newly constructed one- and two-family homes in Essex, Middlesex, and Worcester Counties – counties generally considered by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to have the highest risk for radon potential. Tracking residential radon data enables us to potentially identify other areas of high risk to inform potential future policy updates. Learn more at New Construction in Essex, Worcester, and Middlesex Counties.
Similarly, the Massachusetts State Cancer Plan for 2024-2029 includes several radon-related strategies to reduce environmental risk factors for cancer. These include leveraging the EPHT residential radon data to target outreach to communities with higher radon levels, higher smoking rates, and those who experience a disproportionate burden of environmental exposures.
How does MA EPHT track radon testing?
MA EPHT collects residential (home) radon testing data from all 10 labs certified by the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists’ National Radon Proficiency Program (AARST/NRPP) and the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) 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.
Who is affected by radon?
No area of Massachusetts is free of risk. 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.
In Massachusetts, it is estimated that 650,000 homes have radon levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) action level of 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter), with 34,000 homes having levels over 20 pCi/L.
Certain groups may be more likely to live in communities with low testing rates, such as renters or those living in poverty. Children and people who smoke are more likely to be harmed by exposure to radon.
How do I know if there is radon in my home?
You can’t see, taste, or smell radon. Testing your home is the only way to know if radon is a problem. 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 winter. Radon levels can change with the season.
If your home has a private drinking water well, also test your water. Radon can escape 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 check the system is working to reduce radon levels.
For more information, visit the Testing you home for radon web page.
Are you a renter?
Ask your landlord if they have tested for radon. If they have, ask to see the test results. If they haven’t, 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 rental property owner in writing about your test results. Any building repairs to fix a radon problem are usually done by the owner, not the tenant. If radon is a problem, ask what steps the owner will take to fix it.
If you live in a multi-unit rental property, 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.
How can I reduce radon levels?
You should fix (“mitigate”) your home if radon is above the action level. There is no safe level of radon. The EPA recommends that you consider action if your home’s radon level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
To reduce radon levels in the home, hire a certified radon mitigation professional. 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). For a list of nationally certified radon mitigation professionals, visit DPH - Nationally Certified Radon Mitigation Professionals.
A mitigation professional can install a radon mitigation system for air, well water, or both. Mitigation systems for radon in air typically cost between $1,500 and $2,000 and can be installed in less than a day. Systems for radon in well water typically cost between $3,000 and $5,000.
For more information, visit the Fixing radon in your home webpage or contact the BCEH Division of Healthy Homes and Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention’s (DHHL) Radon Unit by phone at (800) 723-6695 or by email to DPHIAQ.radon@mass.gov.
Financial resources to reduce radon levels
There are no direct financial assistance funds or resources for installing 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
- 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 in collaboration with the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and the National Tribal Air Association, this interactive directory offers resources on funding and tools for radon testing and mitigation, among other indoor air quality topics
- EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant: Funds from this grant can be put towards air quality improvements and radon mitigation
For individuals, homeowners, and homebuyers
- U.S. Department of Agriculture (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: The loan program assists very low-income individuals in rural areas with repairs and home improvements. Grants are also available for homeowners of very low income who are age 62 or older.
- 203(K) Rehabilitation Mortgage Insurance Program: This program offered through HUD 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 repairsand remediations to those who meet income eligibility limits
- Some Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Health Savings Accounts (HSA), and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRA): Check with your plan administrator if you may use these funds for radon mitigation
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 community statistics and tobacco policies data: Data and information on tobacco-related health outcomes, the impacts of tobacco, and tobacco use across communities in Massachusetts
- Online course on radon exposure and health risks for health care providers: Course provided by DPH accredited through the Massachusetts Medical Society for Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits for health care providers to learn about the link between radon exposure and lung cancer risk
National
- EPA radon: Information on radon risks, standards of practice, communication strategies, and the National Radon Action Plan
- EPA radon in schools: General information on radon in schools as well as testing and mitigation standards and guidance
- EPA health risks of radon: Information on the health risks of radon, including a detailed chart that demonstrates the increased risk of lung cancer for people who smoke and also exposed to radon
- A guide for health care providers on reducing the risk from radon: Guide developed by the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) for health care providers with information to reduce their patients' exposure to radon
- ANSI/AARST radon standards: Standards relevant to schools include:
- Protocol for Conducting Measurements of Radon and Radon Decay Products in Existing Multifamily, School, Commercial and Mixed-Use Buildings
- Soil Gas Mitigation Standards for Existing Multifamily, School, Commercial and Mixed-Use Buildings
- Soil Gas Control Systems in New Construction of Multifamily, School, Commercial, and Mixed-Use Buildings
- CDC National Environmental Public Health Tracking radon content page: Information about radon and health, radon testing, and resources