Radon, an invisible, radioactive gas, could be causing your home to be unsafe.

One in seven Vermont houses have heightened levels of radon, which increases a chances of getting lung cancer. The odorless, colorless gas is naturally caused by the decay of the radioactive element uranium in the Earth’s crust. Radon occurs naturally in outdoor air but can build up indoors due to several factors.

Levels of radon in a home depend on concentration of radon in the soil and permeability of the soil under the home, the structure and construction of the home, and the type, operation and maintenance of the home’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

What parts of VT are most at risk for radon?  

The type of bedrock under a home has some effect on radon levels but one home in a neighborhood may have heightened levels of radon while the home right next to it does not. The only way to know if a home has high radon levels is to test the air.

According to the Vermont Department of Health’shome test data, Chittenden County’s greatest percentages of homes with heightened radon levels were in Shelburne and Bolton.

In Shelburne, between 10% and 20% of homes tested had elevated levels. In Bolton, between 20% and 40% of homes tested had elevated levels.

How to get free radon test kits

Vermonters can request free test kits from Vermont’s Radon Program by emailing [email protected] or calling 800-439-8550. The health department recommends that Vermonters test their homes for three to 12 months, ideally including the heating season, because radon levels change frequently. If levels are elevated, there are ways to mitigate radon levels.

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How to get radon test kits for water

Radon may also be in well water which can leak the radon into the air. Water test kits can be ordered through the department of health.

Everyone is exposed to some radon in outdoor and indoor air according to the Vermont Department of Health, but when radon levels are heightened, the radioactive particles of decaying radon can damage a person’s lungs and later cause lung cancer. People who have never smoked a cigarette can get lung cancer from radon, but smokers are especially at risk. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 86% of people who died from radon-caused lung cancer were also smokers or former smokers.

Contact Urban Change Reporter Lilly St. Angelo at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: @lilly_st_ang

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