Radon Program
Considering recent school closures, please note that radon testing activities scheduled for March should be postponed until the next testing season. Radon testing is not to be conducted while school is not in session.
Public schools in Connecticut hire qualified professionals to evaluate for radon in air as part of a State Department of Education indoor air quality inspection requirement. Summary radon data is reported to the CT DPH Radon Program and housed in a surveillance system. The reported data was used to create the map shown above of prevalence rates of elevated radon levels in public school buildings by county. Elevated levels are considered levels at or over 4.0 pCi/L. For more information, visit the Radon in Schools section of the CT DPH Radon Program website.
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Program Initiatives
In order to reduce the number of radon-induced lung cancer deaths in CT, the Radon Program focuses on the following activities:
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Providing technical assistance to local health departments, local building officials, realtors, home inspectors, other state agencies, and the general public about radon;
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Overseeing radon measurement activities in all public schools; and providing technical guidance and assistance to private industry, school officials, and local health departments;
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Conducting education and outreach campaigns throughout the year, particularly during January, which is designated as National Radon Action Month;
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Compiling and maintaining lists of radon measurement and mitigation professionals who have been certified by the two national non-profit organizations (AARST-National Radon Proficiency Program and the National Radon Safety Board); and referring the general public to those professionals;
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Collaborating with local health departments, private industry, other state agencies, and other non-profit organizations to promote radon awareness, testing, mitigation and radon-resistant new construction activities throughout Connecticut. The program currently works with the American Lung Association, the CT Department of Consumer Protection, real estate professionals, local health departments, the CT Department of Economic and Community Development, the CT State Department of Education, and the CT Department of Public Works;
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Collaborating with the CT State Department of Education to incorporate radon-resistant new construction features in all newly built schools throughout the state;
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Collaborating with the Department of Economic and Community Development and private industry to test for radon gas, and mitigate high levels of radon in homes receiving assistance through Community Development Block Grant funds; and
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Developing policies, protocols, and educational opportunities for the industry to promote the quality of radon-related activities
The CT DPH Radon Program’s mission is to promote radon awareness, testing, mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction throughout the state in order to reduce the number of radon-induced lung cancer deaths in Connecticut.
While supplies last, you can obtain a free radon test kit at partnering local health departments/districts.
Kits are only available from December through mid-March
Click on map above for participating health departments/districts.
For a listing of local health departments/districts and how to contact them, click here.
You can purchase a low cost test kit from the American Lung Association of New England.
Call 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) or visit lung.org.
Check out our our video demonstrating how to test your home for Radon!