by Doug Hoffer, Vermont Auditor of Accounts Vermont schools should be healthy and safe environments in which to learn and work. To that end, the Vermont Legislature passed and the Governor signed into law a bill which required all public and approved independent schools to test for radon. In 2022 a second bill extended the testing deadline to June 30, 2025.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas found in rocks, soil, and water that has no color, smell, or taste. While radon is present in outdoor air, radon levels can build up inside buildings. Unless a radon test is performed, there is no way of knowing if radon is present in a building. Breathing air with radon increases the risk of developing lung cancer and is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States after cigarette smoke. Its presence in school buildings poses risks to the adult staff who work in the schools year after year, and to children whose developing lungs can lead to higher absorption levels.
The radon testing legislation did not include a reporting requirement. As a result, the Vermont Department of Health and the Agency of Education do not have a comprehensive list of which schools complied with the requirement or the testing results. In order to determine how this public health initiative rolled out, I asked my staff to look into it.
Results of School Radon Testing
Our research found:
- 206 (69%) public schools completed radon testing by June 30, 2025, as required.
- 218 (73%) public schools completed radon testing as of January 31, 2026.
- The statute required schools to make the radon measurement results available to each employee and student at the school, although it did not specify how that should be done. Methods varied. Some schools sent letters to all families, some included the information in newsletters, and others posted the information on school websites. However, many schools that tested did not provide us with documentation that they provided any notification.
- 20 schools had radon levels at or above the EPA recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L as shown in Exhibit 1.
As shown in Exhibit 2, 68 schools did not complete radon testing by the statutory deadline of June 30, 2025, and still had not as of January 31, 2026. Some schools indicated they would schedule testing after our inquiry.
While we made efforts to gather results from all public schools, we did not receive responses from the schools in Exhibit 3 and were therefore unable to confirm if they were in compliance with statute.
Exhibit 3: Schools that Were Unresponsive
Suggestions to Strengthen Compliance with Statutory Requirements
- Require schools to report testing results to VDH. The State did not require schools to report the results of the radon testing. Collecting state-wide data and analyzing trends is important for evaluating radon safety in Vermont schools. It also provides opportunities for data-driven decision making and increased accountability and transparency.
- While we intended to gather information on all schools required by statute, we were able to identify lessons learned after contacting the public schools. We encourage VDH to reach out to the approved independent schools who are also required to complete radon testing to verify their compliance with statute.
- Schools were required to make the results of the radon testing available but clarity about how that should be achieved (e.g., proactive community notification) was not provided. While some schools chose to notify staff and students, some interpreted the statute to mean results merely need to be made available upon request. Transparent communication is a key aspect to building community trust and maintaining healthy and safe schools.
I want to acknowledge my staff who conducted this research and the many school officials who complied with this important public health requirement.
2.19.2026. Vermont Auditor
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