Our mission is to provide access to timely environmental health information, data, and visualization tools to inform public health decisions and actions. MA EPHT helps public health practitioners, academic institutions, community members, state and local partners, policymakers, and others make data-informed decisions to improve public health.
As one of the data resources maintained by DPH, MA EPHT provides environment and health data by state, county, community, and region through interactive maps and downloadable tables. Some datasets are available at the census tract level to provide a deeper understanding of neighborhood-level environmental health trends.
To view other DPH data resources visit the DPH Data Library.
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Residential radon in Massachusetts
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas released from the ground that can build up in homes. If breathed in over time, radon can cause lung cancer. The Massachusetts Environmental Public Heath Tracking (MA EPHT) Program tracks residential radon data to identify areas with low testing rates and to identify areas with higher radon test results.
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. For more information, visit the Testing your home for radon web page.
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. The EPA recommends that you consider mitigation if your home’s radon level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L.
The map and table below show the percentage of radon test results greater than or equal to 2 pCi/L for all MA counties.
Use the “Explore Residential Radon Data” link to view home testing rates and radon levels in your community.
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