Dangerous Radon Levels In Many Hudson Valley Homes

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — In New York, the Hudson Valley and the Southern Tier have the highest levels of radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.

During January, for Radon Action Month, the American Lung Association is urging everyone to test their home for radon. Do-it-yourself radon test kits are simple to use and inexpensive, according to its new "State of Lung Cancer" report.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas emitted from the ground. Radon can enter a home through cracks in floors, basement walls, foundations and other openings. Exposure to radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked, according to the ALA.

“Radon is responsible for an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year and is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked. Since radon is odorless, tasteless and colorless, the only way to detect radon in your home is to test the air. This is why it is critical for everyone to test their home,” said ALA's Director of Advocacy Trevor Summerfield.

The Environmental Protection Agency sets its "action level" guideline at 4 picocuries per liter.

Nearly half the residential basements in Dutchess County had higher radon levels than that, with about one in three homes in Orange, Putnam and Ulster counties so affected, the New York Health Department, which reports on radon around the state every year, estimated five years ago. Based on short term tests taken in the basement of a home under closed house conditions, about 15-17 percent of home basements in Rockland and Westchester were above the guideline.

Here's the result of testing in 2021:

Dutchess County

• Out of 3,322 basements tested, 1,595 homes with basement readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 185 homes with basement readings equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L
• Out of 1,171 first floors tested, 368 homes with readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 11 homes with readings equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L

Orange

• Out of 2,512 basements tested, 1,544 homes with readings greater than 4 pCi/L, 93 homes with readings equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L
• Out of 1,060 first floors tested, 876 homes with readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 9 homes with readings equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L

Putnam

• Out of 1,106 basements tested, 722 homes with readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 29 homes with basement readings equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L
• Out of 397 first floors tested, 331 homes with readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 6 homes with equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L

Rockland

• Out of 2,874 basements tested, 400 with readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 23 homes with basement readings equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L
• Out of 942 first floors tested, 39 homes with readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 4 homes with equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L

Ulster

• Out of 1,473 basements tested, 486 homes with readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 48 homes with equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L
• Out of 684 first floors tested, 82 homes with readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 5 homes with equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L

Westchester

• Out of 2,652 basements tested, 430 homes with readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 27 homes with equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L
• Out of 772 first floors tested, 39 homes with readings greater than 4 pCi/L and 2 homes with equal to or greater than 20 pCi/L

Both the EPA and the American Lung Association recommend that mitigation be considered if levels are greater than 2 pCi/L.

A typical radon mitigation system consists of a vent pipe, fan, and properly sealing cracks and other openings. This system collects radon gas from underneath the foundation and vents it to the outside of your home. If you need to have a radon mitigation system installed, contact your state radon program for a list of certified radon mitigation professionals.

Learn more about radon testing and mitigation at www.Lung.org/Radon.