I was very surprised recently to learn that my home office in the basement had an unsafe radon level, even though I had tested the home some 30 years ago when we purchased it. I was tipped off by new neighbors who bought the house next door and found that they needed radon mitigation. We last tested our home some 35 years ago when we bought it, and found the radon level to be safe at that time.
Radon is a health hazard that is often overlooked. It is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms from the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It is invisible, odorless, and tasteless. It is believed to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, just after smoking, and the leading cause among non-smokers. It is always present in the ground at some level. Over time, exposure to high levels of radon can damage lung tissue, significantly increasing the risk of lung cancer.
Radon enters homes through cracks in the foundation, gaps around pipes, sump pumps, and other openings in the basement and foundation. Radon levels will vary greatly from one home to another, even among neighboring houses. It’s essential to test for radon, especially when buying a house, after any renovations or additions, or every 10 years or so just due to geological changes in the area. Levels are highest in the winter. Testing is done with a handheld device that can be borrowed from the Newton Free Library’s Library of Things.
Since levels vary from day-to-day, place the testing device in the lowest level of the home and leave it in place for at least a week to get an average reading. An average reading above 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher is unsafe and should be mitigated. Levels between 2 and 4 pCi/L also pose some risk, and can be considered for mitigation. If you do not want to use a handheld device, you can get a free test kit from the state by calling the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s radon information line at (800) 723-6695 during the heating season (November through March). They will send you a device that you place in your basement for a week and send it back to them for free analysis.
Mitigating radon exposure involves reducing indoor concentrations to safe levels. In most cases, one or two holes are drilled through the foundation, and a PVC pipe is inserted to pull the radon gas out from under the foundation. The pipe is ejected outside where a radon fan creates negative pressure to pull out the gas and vent it out above the roof line. Sealing cracks and openings in the foundation also helps, although this is considered to be a supplemental strategy rather than a primary fix. There are at least a dozen companies who offer this service, and most work can be completed in 3-4 hours for around $1500 to $2000. Look for a radon mitigation company that is accredited, and will come out to your house to take a look at your basement before providing a proposal. Make sure the proposal includes a guarantee that the radon level will be brought down below 4 pCi/L.
Addressing radon risks is crucial for long-term health and safety. With proper testing and mitigation, any danger can be effectively managed and mitigated if needed. If you have not tested for a few years, you should consider testing now, and the testing will cost nothing.
Craig Forman is a board member of Green Newton.