In Maine, where state law says landlords must test for radon, the Portland Housing
Authority checked 725 units in 2014. The agency found four dozen with high radon
levels, and roughly half of those showed high levels after a second test using a
more sophisticated technique.
Of cials met in 2015 to “discuss mitigation options,” documents show.
Then nothing happened. For another three years.
Mark Adelson, the agency’s executive director at the time, told the newsroom he
decided to forgo radon removal systems in favor of addressing other problems.
“It’s a risk analysis,” he said.
Adelson hired a radon contractor in 2018 after The Oregonian/OregonLive
requested all of his emails discussing whether to repair the units that tested high.
He called the timing “conveniently coincidental.”
“It was right there,” he said. “And, ‘Oh, yeah, by the way, somebody’s calling
about it. Yeah, I guess it’s time.’”
Rather than x each unit that twice had tested high, Portland ordered a third
round of testing, which eliminated most homes from the mix. In the end, the
housing authority xed only eight.
Nicole Auger, 33, with her ance, Chris Wotton, 35, and children, from left: Jonathan, 9; Josh, 13; and Ariella, 3.
The Portland, Maine, housing authority rst detected a high level of radon in her unit in 2014 but didn’t make
repairs until 2019.
Nicole Auger, 33, moved her family into one of the radon-tainted units last year.
She signed a lease on her townhouse acknowledging she was made aware of the
problem.
“I didn’t have any options to go anywhere else,” said Auger, who has three kids,
one with special needs. “I just took it.”