The Vermont Department of Health's Division of Environmental Health administers the Radon program in Vermont. The program helps roughly 3000 Vermonters test their homes for radon each year by providing free test kits. This year, they've earmarked 450 test kits specifically for family child care homes.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that has no color, smell, or taste. Radon comes from the decay of uranium, which is a radioactive element found naturally in the Earth’s crust. Radon levels can build up inside homes and buildings.
Unless it is tested for, there is no way of knowing if radon is in a home or building.
Breathing air with radon increases a person’s risk of getting lung cancer – it is the second leading cause of lung cancer (after smoking). Due to children’s lung shape, size, and breathing rate, they may take in more radiation from sources like radon.
Registered & Licensed Family Child Care Homes
View the Radon in Family Child Care Homes Fact Sheet for more information and how to request your free test kit.
Center Based and Afterschool Programs
View the Radon in Child Care Centers Fact Sheet for more information and how to test your facility.
Please note: For programs operating out of schools – Act 72 of 2022 requires all schools to test for radon by June 30, 2025.