Region 1: EPA New England
It's Simple To Keep Your Family Safe From Radon
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[ En Español ]
January 22, 2004
By Robert W. Varney
There is a silent killer stalking New England. It’s easily preventable but, unfortunately, far too many people aren't aware of the problem that lurks in one out of every four households in the region. Radon, a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps into homes from the ground, kills 22,000 people every year in the U.S. In fact, only cigarette smoking causes more lung cancer deaths than radon exposure.
Radon is a particular concern in New England due to its unique geography. Buildings in this region are four times more likely to have elevated radon levels than in the rest of the country. Radon levels can soar during the colder months when we keep windows and doors closed and spend more time indoors. Radon can also be a danger in summer when homes are closed tight for air conditioning purposes.
The solution is simple: testing buildings and homes to see if there are high levels of radon, and where it is found, taking simple measures to reduce the concentrations indoors, usually through better venting in the basement. The U.S. EPA, Surgeon General, Centers for Disease Control, and National Academy of Sciences all recommend that every home should be tested for radon. Levels can change dramatically from one house to another, so even if the house next door is OK, you should still test yours.
You can take the first steps yourself by purchasing a simple testing kit. Many radon test kits which meet EPA guidelines are priced under $25 and are available at local hardware and home improvement stores. Information on how to purchase a radon detector is available from www.epa.gov/iaq/radon and also from state and tribal radon programs at www.epa.gov/region1/eco/radon/index.html or by calling 1-800-SOS-RADON.
Testing your home for radon is as simple as opening a package and following the instructions, which explain where to place a radon detector, how long a detector should be deployed, and where to mail the kit once the testing period had ended.
If radon levels are high, a qualified radon abatement contractor can take a variety of simple actions to vent the basement or other areas so as to prevent a hazardous build-up of gas. The average cost for a contractor to lower radon levels in a home is about $1,200, although this can range from $500 to about $2,500. Refer to your state or tribal radon program, access your local phone book, or visit www.epa.gov/iaq/radon to locate radon mitigators in your area.
Please take a few minutes this week to determine if you have a high radon level in your home. Like the advertisements say, a radon test kit is inexpensive, but the peace of mind knowing you and your family are safe is priceless.
Robert W. Varney is regional administrator of EPA’s New England Office.