What is Radon?

Radon is colorless, odorless radioactive gas, that is naturally released from rocks, soil, and water.  Radon levels in outdoor environments are very low and generally not considered harmful.  Radon can, however, build up in the air in any home or building. 

Though radon is found in homes with or without basements, the primary pathway radon travels into the home is up through the basement from the ground below.  As a result, the concentration of radon tends to be highest in the lowest level of the home.   

The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends fixing your home if radon levels are above 4 picoCuries per liter of air (pCi/L).  There is no known safe level of radon, so reducing radon inside your home or building will always help reduce health risks associated with radon exposure. 

What are the Health Risks of Radon?

Radon is a carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer in humans.  Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second leading cause of lung cancer overall.  In general, the risk of lung cancer increases as the level of radon and the length of exposure increases. 

What does this mean for Newton residents?

Since the highest exposure to radon is in indoor spaces, buildings and homes should be tested to determine if radon is at levels of concern.  Air testing is the only way to know if an indoor space has elevated radon levels.

Contact the Massachusetts radon office for testing or purchase a test kit in a hardware store or online.  For more information, visit the Massachusetts radon website. 

What do I do if I have elevated radon levels in my home?

Homes with elevated levels of radon, in most cases, can be fixed.   Active soil depressurization is a method used to fix or mitigate elevated radon levels in a home or building.  

Even if levels of radon are below the recommended threshold, steps can be taken to reduce the level of radon in indoor spaces:

• Increase airflow by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate air.  
• Seal cracks in floors and walls using materials such as plaster or caulk.

Always check radon levels after making any changes, to ensure your efforts reduced the levels of radon.