Craig M. Audet Walden University

THE DETRIMENTAL HEALTH EFFECTS OF RADON AND HOW TO AVOID THEM: INFORMATION FOR THE HOMEOWNERS, SCHOOLS, AND REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS

Craig M. Audet

Walden University

THIS EDUCATIONAL SLIDE PRESENTATION ON RADON IT ARRANGED IN FOUR MODULES:

Module 1 contains general information on radon and its adverse health effects

Module 2 contains information for homeowners Module 3 contains information for school

systems Module 4 contains information for Real Estate

professionals

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MODULE 1 – RADON AND ITS ADVERSE HEALTH EFFECTS

What is radon? Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless

radioactive gas Radon comes from the natural breakdown of

uranium in soil, rock and water Radon can be found all over the U.S. Radon can get into any type of building - homes,

offices, and schools - and result in a high indoor radon level

Source: (Environmental Protection Agency, 2009-1)

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Where is radon found? Radon is found in soil and in water Radon in water is an inhalation and ingestion risk

Most risk is from water usage Not usually a problem in surface water Problems are more likely from ground water, e.g., a

private well or a public water supply system that uses ground water

Radon from the soil is usually a much larger risk


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Radon gets in through: 1. Cracks in solid

floors2. Construction joints3. Cracks in walls4. Gaps in suspended

floors5. Gaps around

service pipes6. Cavities inside walls7. The water supply

How does Radon Get into Buildings?



Scope of the Problem Nearly 1 out of every 15 homes in the U.S. has

elevated radon levels. Radon problems can also be found in:

Schools Businesses Workplaces Daycare and childcare facilities Other buildings


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EPA’s Map of Radon Zones Indoor Radon Abatement Act of 1988 Areas of the U.S. with the potential for elevated

indoor radon levels Assigns each of the 3,141 counties in the U.S. to

one of three zones based on radon potential Can to assist national, state, and local

organizations in targeting their resources and to implement radon-resistant building codes


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EPA’s Map of Radon Zones The Map uses five factors of radon potential

indoor radon measurements geology aerial radioactivity soil permeability foundation type.

Zone 1 counties (red zones) have the highest radon potential greater than 4 pCi/L

Zone 2 counties (orange zones) have moderate radon potential between 2 and 4 pCi/L

Zone 3 counties (yellow zones) have a low radon potential less than 2 pCi/L.


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EPA’s Map of Radon Zones Important points in regard to The Map

1. All homes should test for radon, regardless of geographic location or zone designation

2. There are many thousands of individual homes with elevated radon levels in Zone 2 and 3

3. EPA recommends that this map be supplemented with any available local data in order to further understand and predict the radon potential of a specific area.


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Radon Health Effects Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-

smokers Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer Responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year The U.S. Surgeon General issued a national health advisory

for radon on January 13, 2005 Test homes for levels Remedy problems as soon as possible


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Radon Health Effects The risk of lung cancer is higher among smokers who are

exposed to high radon levels. Risk for smokers exposed to 10 pCi/L over a lifetime

getting lung cancer is 150 per 1000 people Risk for a non-smokers is 18 per 1000 people The chances of getting lung cancer depend on:

the level of exposure the total time of exposure smoking history


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Radon Health Effects Radon gas decays into radioactive particles Particles get trapped in the lungs As they break down they release small amounts of

energy This energy can damage lung tissue and lead to lung

cancer over the course time The amount of time between exposure and the onset

of lung cancer can be many years Not all those exposed develop lung cancer


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MODULE 2 – INFORMATION FOR HOMEOWNERS

Radon Testing The only way to know if you have a radon problem Water testing

Public water supply: check with water provider or test Private well: test If a problem exists, there are two ways to remediate

Point of entry treatment Point of use treatment


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Radon TestingAir testing

Recommended by EPA & Surgeon General All homes below the 3rd floor Average indoor level: 1.3 pCi/L Two ways to test

Short-term testing Test remains for 2 to 90 days May not provide result equitable to levels for the entire

year Long-term testing

Test remains for more than 90 days Reading more equivalent to year-round level

If levels are above EPA action level of 4pCi/L , fixing the home is warranted


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Radon TestingAir testing

Reducing radon in the home Soil suction radon

reduction systemPulls radon from

under house and vents it outside

No major changes to home

Effective and cost efficient

New homes can be built with this system



Radon Testing January is National Radon Action Month Four things homeowners can do:

1. Test your home2. Attend a National Radon Action Month event3. Spread the word4. Buy a radon-resistant home


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Additional Resources: EPA's Drinking Water Hotline at (800) 426-4791

or at www.epa.gov/safewater/radon.html EPA Radon Publications at

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/index.html#index1

Your State Radon Contact at http://www.epa.gov/radon/whereyoulive.html

Radon Information Resources at http://www.epa.gov/radon/rnxlines.html

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MODULE 3 – INFORMATION FOR SCHOOLS

EPA and Schools EPA recommends testing all schools for radon 1988 study of schools in Fairfax County, Virginia Findings used to develop Radon Measurement in

Schools - An Interim Report. Used as a guide for measuring radon in schools

Source: (Environmental Protection Agency, 1993)

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EPA and Schools1989-1990 School Protocol Development

Study Further examines how to conduct radon measurements

in schools. Study suggested that elevated radon levels (levels ≥

4pCi/L) exist in some schools in every state. Most elevated measurements were greater than 4 pCi/L Several schools found with levels well over 20 pCi/L Some found with concentrations over 100 pCi/L


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EPA and SchoolsEPA also conducted a National School

Radon Survey Provides a statistically valid representation of the

levels of radon in schools at the national level Results show widespread radon contamination EPA estimates that 19.3% of U.S. have at least one

room with short-term radon levels above 4 pCi/L In total, over 70,000 schoolrooms have short-term

radon levels above 4 pCi/L


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EPA and Schools The EPA recommends same testing method of short and

long-term testing. If necessary, proceed with diagnostics and mitigation

plans Schools should conduct initial measurements in all

frequently occupied rooms in contact with the ground Usually classrooms, offices, laboratories, cafeterias,

libraries, and gymnasiums. Future retesting should be done

After significant changes to the building structure or the HVAC system.


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Summary of EPA Recommendations Initial short-term tests in all frequently occupied, ground contact

rooms Initial testing during the coldest months when the heating

system is operating and windows and doors are closed Short-term test of 2 to-5 days should be conducted on weekdays

with the HVAC system operating normally If the short-term test shows level in a room is 4 pCi/L or greater,

conduct either a second short-term or a long-term test to confirm

EPA does not recommend that schools use a single short-term test result for determining action

Duplicates and blanks should accompany all testing programs Trained school personnel or a RMP-listed measurement service

should supervise and/or conduct the testing program.


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Additional Resources: EPA Radon Publications at

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/index.html#index1 Radon Links - Kids, Students and Teachers at

http://www.epa.gov/radon/justforkids.html State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG) Program at

http://www.epa.gov/radon/sirgprogram.html

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MODULE 4 – INFORMATION FOR REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONALS

Federal Housing Commissioner 2004 : issued radon gas notice Required a release agreement in all sales contracts for

HUD properties Notifies purchasers of potential health problems of radon Use of the agreement expired on May 31, 2005. Agreement was used in the purchase of approximately

78,000 properties


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Federal Housing Commissioner 2006: informed FHA mortgagees about revisions to its

home inspection form Reaches millions of homebuyers

Section on radon included EPA and U.S. Surgeon General’s recommendation EPA's 1-800-SOS-Radon hotline.

Mortgagees required to provide the form to prospective homebuyers

Form is mandatory for all FHA-insured mortgages


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Section 203(k) Mortgage Financing Program HUD’s primary tool for improving single family homes Program allows home buyers to finance the improvement

of a home Reducing radon levels in a home is eligible The total cost must be at least $5,000 “An important tool for expanding home ownership,

revitalizing homes, neighborhoods and communities, and for making homes healthier and safer for those who occupy them.”


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The Radon Mitigation System Inspection Checklist Home inspectors offer radon mitigation system inspections to home

inspection clients Created by the American Society of Home Inspectors in cooperation

with the EPA's Indoor Environments Division Checklist promotes radon awareness, testing, and mitigation Inspection results indicate whether the home has a mitigation

system Encourages the verification that indoor radon levels are below 4

pCi/L Checklist constructed using several sources

EPA technical radon mitigation and radon-resistant documents, Radon inspection checklists used by state radon programs


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EPA Video Breathing Easy: What Home Buyers and Sellers

Should Know About Radon Primary audiences are home buyers, sellers, real

estate agents, & brokers Provides a visual educational tool How to best include radon in residential real estate

transactions Covers the basics:

Radon science Lung cancer risk Home inspection Building a new home radon-resistant Testing & fixing a home Disclosure State radon offices Hotline & web resources Key radon numbers


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REFERENCES U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2009-1). A

Citizen's Guide to Radon. Retrieved July 17, 2009, from US EPA: http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2009-2). EPA Map of Radon Zones. Retrieved July 17, 2009, from U.S. EPA: http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2009-3). Radon Health Risks. Retrieved July 17, 2009, from U.S.

EPA: http://www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (1993). Radon

Measurement in Schools, Revised Edition. Washington, D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2009-4). Radon National Action Month. Retrieved July 17, 2009,

from U.S. EPA: http://www.epa.gov/radon/nram/public.html

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2009-5). Real Estate and Radon. Retrieved July 17, 2009, from

U.S. EPA: http://www.epa.gov/radon/realestate.html

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Craig M. Audet Walden University

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