Description

• Radon is a colorless, odorless, and inert radioactive substance found in soil, rocks, and groundwater. Radon becomes part of the air and can accumulate in buildings. There is no known safe level of radon. The EPA established 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) as the “action level” for radon, although radon levels below 4 pCi/L can still pose health risks. The potential health risks posed to residents of HUD-assisted housing have drawn congressional interest. Title 24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 50 and 58 (24 CFR Part 50 or 24 CFR Part 58) state that “All property proposed for use in HUD programs be free of hazardous materials, contamination, toxic chemicals and gasses, and radioactive substances, where a hazard could affect the health and safety of occupants or conflict with the intended utilization of the property.”  NYCHA is committed to addressing any known radon risks, through the incorporation of radon-resistant features into building rehabilitation or new construction scopes when needed. 

Baseline

• For project involving federal discretionary actions, through the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, primarily actions supported by HUD, specific radon requirements must be followed. Project teams should refer to the HUD Notice CPD-23-103, Departmental Policy for Addressing Radon in the Environmental Review Process document

Strategies

Optimize Performance, Operation & Maintenance of Buildings, Systems & Assets

Utilize Healthy Materials & Health-Promoting Building Systems

RAD

Last Updated on January 10, 2026 at 5:38 am

Downloads and Data

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Specifications

PACT Radon Procedure Memo