Free Radon Air Testing Kits Available For New Hampshire Residents

Press release from Executive Councilor Janet Stevens:

A recent study by the U.S. Geological Survey on the probability of naturally occurring radon and uranium in New Hampshire groundwater was released on February 14, 2023. With use of exceedance probability maps, the data indicated that 55% of New Hampshire groundwater – not necessarily drinking water – had a 50% higher probability of having elevated levels of radon. The study also finds that a portion of the state has elevated levels of uranium.

With 49% of New Hampshire residents relying on drinking water from wells supplied by groundwater, the corresponding map amplifies that these natural contaminants can occur anywhere in New Hampshire groundwater and wells should be tested.

“You may not know that you are living in an area of high probability for elevated uranium or radon in your well water,” said USGS hydrologist and lead author Richard B. Moore. Amy Rousseau of the NH Department of Environmental Services Drinking Water and Groundwater Bureau added - “Although the people who live in the parts of New Hampshire that are indicated by red on these maps may be at higher risk, unless wells are tested, there’s no way to confirm the presence or absence of elevated concentrations of these contaminants.”

Most of the risk from radon in water comes from the release of radon into the air when usage is for showering and other house hold purposes. Exposure to radon poses an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, primarily lung cancer and stomach cancer. Uranium in water can increase the risk of cancer and kidney toxicity when ingested if it exceeds the maximum contaminant level set by the EPA. If radon concentrations sampled for indoor air exceed Public Health Advisory levels and the homeowner is on a private well – testing of well water should be done. Conversely, private well owners with radon levels exceeding public health advisories – testing of indoor air is necessary.

FREE INDOOR RADON AIR TEST KITS – NH RADON PROGRAM
I encourage all residents to order an indoor radon test kit from the New Hampshire Department of Health & Human Services. The free testing being offered through the NH Radon Program is available for all NH residents and the site provides resources on proper testing, mitigation.

RESOURCES FOR WELL WATER - BE WELL INFORMED
The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) Be Well Informed program, provides guidance and resources for New Hampshire residents on private well water. Public Health Advisory standards for radon in drinking water, the occurrence and risks associated with radon in water, testing and mitigation resources are also available through the Department of Environmental Services.

I alerted District Three constituents to this program in June of 2022. The program has reimbursed $1.46 million dollars to private well owners throughout the state. Residents in Atkinson, Derry, Greenland, Hampstead, North Hampton, Pelham, Plaistow, Salem, Stratham and Windham have received funding.

This program assists well owners with PFAS (Per – polyfluoroalkyl) levels in exceedance of New Hampshire’s Ambient Groundwater Quality Standards (AGQS). More than 9,000 wells have tested for PFAS in New Hampshire with 3,500 at levels which exceeded New Hampshire standards. Of the 3,500 wells with elevated PFAS levels, 1000 property owners have been offered alternative water by responsible parties.

The remaining 2,000 wells that are not being provided an alternate water supply are candidates for this program – which includes rebates in the amount of $5,000 for treatment systems or up to $10,000 for connection to water supplies. Not all contaminated wells have been either “technically or legally attributed to a responsible party." Additional information will soon be found at NH DES.

This press release was produced by Executive Councilor Janet Stevens. The views expressed here are the author's own.