Radon Testing and Mitigation Demonstration for Public Housing

The purpose of this NOFO is to provide funds to public housing agencies (PHAs) to conduct testing and as-needed mitigation of radon in the units that they manage and to support the development of a plan for future testing and mitigation.   The work supported through this NOFO will also provide HUD with important information on method and costs for radon testing and mitigation in public housing. Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas which is a decay product of elements in soil and rock and is present in every part of the country.  Low levels of radon are found in the outside air; however, radon gas can move through the soil and enter buildings through small openings in the foundation or basement and become concentrated in the indoor air.  When radon is inhaled it releases radiation that can damage lung tissue, and in doing so, increase the risk of developing lung cancer.   The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that approximately 21,000 people die in the U.S. annually due to lung cancer from radon exposure[1]. [1] EPA Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes, June 2003, publication number EPA 402-R-03-003, available at https://www.epa.gov/radiation/docs/assessment/402-r-03-003.pdf.