PRESS RELEASE
Partnership for a Healthy Milton, Inc.
℅ Milton Health Department
525 Canton Ave
Milton MA 02186-3240
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Caroline Kinsella
Health Director
Milton Health Department
617-898-4886 Fax 617-696-5172
Protect Your Home and Health: Learn About Radon Today!
January is National Radon Action Month, and public health advocates everywhere are raising awareness about a serious, yet often overlooked health risk: radon exposure. The Partnership for a Healthy Milton (PHM) is collaborating with the Milton Health Department (MHD) and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) to help residents learn more about radon, provide access to free and low-cost testing kits, and offer guidance on mitigation strategies. This initiative comes after a recent community health assessment conducted by the MHD revealed higher than average lung cancer rates in residents despite low smoking rates and good air quality. Radon data analyzed by the MDPH showed roughly half of Milton homes tested between 2010 and 2021 had radon levels above the EPA suggested and/or recommended limits for mitigation.
Radon is a naturally occurring, radioactive gas that is invisible, odorless, and tasteless. It forms from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks and can seep into homes through cracks in foundations, floor-wall joints, crawl spaces, and even through well water. Because it’s a gas, radon can accumulate in enclosed spaces. Radon is present outdoors, but levels tend to be higher indoors.
Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. When inhaled, radon breaks down into radioactive particles that can attach to lung tissue, causing damage over time. The risk of lung cancer increases with both the concentration of radon and the length of exposure. Smokers exposed to radon have a much higher risk of lung cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that approximately 21,000 radon-related deaths occur annually in the U.S., exceeding deaths from car accidents, falls, and fires. In Massachusetts, an estimated 628 lung cancer cases per year are linked to radon, and around 650,000 homes are believed to have elevated radon levels.
The only way to determine if your home has elevated radon levels is through testing. Although the EPA remediation action guide for radon is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), EPA also advises that you consider remediation if your radon levels are between 2 and 4 pCi/L. In Milton, about 21% of homes tested have levels above 4 pCi/L, but more than half of those tested homes have levels above 2 pCi/L. It is important to note that no level of radon is risk free.
Winter is the best time to test your home for radon, especially if living and working areas of your home are in the basement or at ground level. Milton residents can access a free radon test kit while supplies last by emailing MDPH your name and mailing address to DPHIAQ.radon@mass.gov. Test kits ranging from $20 - $50 can be purchased at local hardware stores and online (some may not include laboratory costs). There is a low cost option through Kansas State University for $17 that includes lab analysis (https://sosradon.org/test-kits).
The good news is that high radon levels can usually be reduced through a method called active soil depressurization. A radon mitigation professional installs a radon reduction system to draw radon gas from under the home’s foundation, venting it safely outside. The average cost for a mitigation system is between $1,000 and $1,500, although this can vary depending on the home's specific characteristics. Installation typically takes less than a day. It’s important to hire a certified mitigation specialist who is certified by either the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) or the Indoor Environments Association - National Radon Proficiency Program (IEA-NRPP). Currently, there is no state or federal funding to assist homeowners with mitigation costs. PHM is exploring fundraising opportunities to help cover some of the mitigation expenses for low-income households.
Join the Partnership for a Healthy Milton and the Milton Health Department during our free online Radon Informational Webinar presented by the MDPH on January 28th from 7-8PM. Link to recording here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1IT0iqkfBAv_4hSG-mfTIo4wEKkeaCO-D/view?ts=67c64119
Radon fact sheets in multiple languages and additional information about testing and mitigation are available at www.mass.gov/radon or by calling the Massachusetts Radon Information Line at (800) 723-6695.
The Partnership for a Healthy Milton is an independent non-profit organization that is committed to advancing our community’s health by promoting educational programs and by strengthening resources and policies which embrace prevention strategies and health equity principles.