Radon

• Radon is a naturally occuring radioactive gas released in rock, soil and water from the natural decay of uranium.
• While levels in ourdoor air pose a relatively low threat to human health, radon can accumulate to dangerous levels inside your home. Exposure to radon is the seond leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the number one cause among non-smokers.

• Test your Home. High levels of radon in homes usually come from the surrounding soil.  Radon gas enters through cracks and openings on the lower levels of your home.  Hot spots include basements, first-floor rooms and garages, but radon can be found anywhere in your house.  The U.S. Surgeon General recommends that all homes in the U.S. be tested for radon. Testing for radon is easy to do. You can purchase a test kit from your local home improvement or hardware store.   Contact the Massachusetts Radon Hotline for more information about obtaining test kits.  800-723-6695.

• The cost of making repairs to reduce the radon level depends on several factors, including how your home was built.  
• If you find an elevated radon level in your home,  EPA's action level is at or above 4 pCi/L contact your state radon office to locate radon mitigators in your area. Well water should also be tested for radon levels at a state certified laboratory.  The following links provide more radon information.
  • US Environmental Protection Agency on Radon
  • Radon in Water & Air - Health Risks & Control Measures
  • Radon Fact Sheet
  • Mass Department of Public Health website or Mass DEP regulations for more information

You can also visit the Board of Health Office for more information on Radon Testing in Air and Water.