Radon levels in Suffolk County, Massachusetts

LowEPA Zone 3

Predicted long-term basement average of 1.2 pCi/L (model estimate) across 27 ZIP codes - about 34% below the US average of 1.8, about 34% below the Massachusetts average of 1.8. Ranked #14 of 14 Massachusetts counties.

Test Suffolk County, MA once anyway - radon varies house to house

The predicted basement average here is 1.2 pCi/L, below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold. That's good news for the area - but the EPA still recommends every home be tested, because foundation cracks, soil pockets and ventilation make one house very different from its neighbor. One inexpensive kit settles it.

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Predicted (model estimate). The pCi/L figures on this page are long-term area averages from a peer-reviewed national model built on millions of real radon tests (2001-2021). They describe the typical home in this area - not your home, which can be several times higher or lower. The EPA radon zone is a separate, 1993 county-level classification. How the numbers work.

1.2 ± 0.07

pCi/L predicted basement mean (model SD)

0.6 ± 0.07

pCi/L predicted upstairs (above-ground) mean

0.8-1.6

range of ZIP-level basement predictions in the county

What this means for Suffolk

The typical Suffolk County home is predicted below 2 pCi/L, the lowest band. That is the best case an area can show - but it describes the average house, and the ZIP-level predictions within the county still span 0.8 to 1.6 pCi/L.

The 1993 EPA zone (3) and the 2001-2021 model agree for Suffolk. County figures weight each ZIP by its 2010 Census population, so they describe where people live rather than empty land.

Comparable Massachusetts counties: Hampden County (1.3), Nantucket County (1.6), Hampshire County (1.6), Franklin County (1.6). The state's highest is Worcester County at 2.5 pCi/L.

ZIP codes in Suffolk County

Predicted basement and upstairs means by ZIP (model estimate). ZIPs whose land is mostly in this county.

ZIPBasementUpstairsGrade
021511.2 ± 0.070.6Low
021241.3 ± 0.060.5Low
021351.3 ± 0.070.6Low
021280.8 ± 0.090.5Low
021301.6 ± 0.060.6Low
021501.0 ± 0.070.5Low
021251.2 ± 0.060.5Low
021271.0 ± 0.070.5Low
021311.5 ± 0.050.7Low
021361.6 ± 0.060.7Low
021151.1 ± 0.060.6Low
021180.9 ± 0.090.5Low
022151.1 ± 0.060.7Low
021211.1 ± 0.070.4Low
021321.5 ± 0.060.8Low
021261.4 ± 0.050.6Low
021191.1 ± 0.060.5Low
021221.2 ± 0.050.5Low
021341.2 ± 0.050.7Low
021161.0 ± 0.080.6Low
021521.1 ± 0.080.6Low
021291.0 ± 0.080.6Low
021201.2 ± 0.060.6Low
021141.0 ± 0.060.6Low
021091.0 ± 0.060.6Low
022101.1 ± 0.050.6Low
021101.1 ± 0.060.6Low

If your test comes back at 4 pCi/L or higher

Mitigation is a routine job: a fan-driven pipe that vents soil gas from under the slab to above the roofline, typically $800-$2,500 installed (typical range; local quotes vary). Use certified professionals: EPA find-a-professional. Read the full mitigation guide.

Suffolk County radon questions

Is radon high in Suffolk County, Massachusetts?
Low. The model predicts a long-term basement average of 1.2 pCi/L in Suffolk County (about 34% below the US average of 1.8 and about 34% below the Massachusetts average of 1.8). That is below the EPA's 2 pCi/L "consider fixing" threshold, though individual homes still vary. Ranked 14 of 14 Massachusetts counties.
Should I test for radon in Suffolk County?
Yes, once. The EPA recommends testing every home regardless of area, and the model's ZIP-level predictions in Suffolk County already range from 0.8 to 1.6 pCi/L. A short-term kit costs little and settles the question for your house.
What does EPA Radon Zone 3 mean for Suffolk County?
Zone 3 - low potential (< 2 pCi/L). The zone map dates from 1993 and classifies whole counties. The 2001-2021 model agrees with the zone here. Neither replaces a test of your own home.
How much does radon mitigation cost in Suffolk County?
A standard active sub-slab depressurization system typically runs $800-$2,500 installed nationally; Massachusetts quotes vary with foundation type (slab, crawlspace, basement), home size and local labor. Get two or three bids from certified mitigators listed by your state radon program or the EPA's find-a-professional page.

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