Boston, Massachusetts – A dangerous gas could already be building inside homes across New England as cool spring nights keep windows closed, allowing radon—known as the “invisible killer”—to accumulate indoors within hours. The risk can increase rapidly overnight as fluctuating temperatures lead residents to seal homes against lingering cold.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, radon is a radioactive gas that forms naturally in soil and seeps into homes through foundation cracks, basements, and crawl spaces. New England is one of the highest-risk regions in the country, with elevated levels frequently detected across Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.
Across the region, older housing stock adds to the risk. In cities like Boston, Hartford, Providence, Manchester, and Burlington, basements and aging foundations create direct pathways for radon to enter and build indoors. Rural areas across northern New England face additional exposure due to geology and limited ventilation during colder nights.
Health officials warn radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, linked to about 21,000 deaths annually. The gas produces no smell or immediate symptoms, making testing the only reliable way to detect it.
Residents across New England are urged to test homes now as conditions through April continue to trap indoor air. Free and low-cost test kits are available regionwide, and mitigation systems can significantly reduce indoor concentrations before risks increase into early summer.
