Radon Resistant New Home Construction:Codes to Construction

Chrystine KelleyColorado Department of Public Health and Environment

This session will describe the education, outreach,and implementation of local building codes on radon resistant new construction and present a video educational program for builders, architects,layman, and officials on the proper installation of radon systems in new home construction.

Radon

Estimated Deaths Per Year

* Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). The numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from the Centers for Disease Control and

ESTIMATED DEATHS PER YEAR

21,000

17,400

8,000

3,9002,800

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

RADON* DrunkDriving

Falls in theHome

Drownings Home Fires

Why is this important to Colorado?

2005-2012 Data Summary

• 122,654 Tests Conducted

• 56,849 ≥ 4 PCi/L (46.3%)

• 19,089 ≥ 10 PCi/L (15.6%)

• 5,354 ≥ 20 PCi/L (4.4%)

• 239 ≥ 100 PCi/L (0.2%)

The average radon test result in Colorado is 6.34 pCi/L and ranges from 0 to 4277.7!

What’s the best way to protect the public?

Radon Resistant New Construction

Problem:

No Statewide Building Code in Colorado

Solution:

Educate: City Councils County Commissioners

Code Professionals Building Inspectors

Layman

Get them to adopt Appendix F or the IRC!

Education and OutreachDATA! DATA! DATA! Show them their home turf

• 994 Results– 0-203.1 PCi/L– 63.5% ≥ 4 PCi/L

• 81401– 838 Results (0-203.1 PCi/L)– 68.6% ≥ 4 PCi/L

• 81402– 74 Results (.5-48.2 PCi/L)– 16.2% ≥ 4 PCi/L

• 81403– 82 Results (0-83 PCi/L)– 53.7% ≥ 4 PCi/L

MONTROSE, COLORADO (Zip Codes 81401, 81402 & 81403)

Resources

Cities/Counties Adopted Appendix F – 26!• Aspen• Ft Collins (also required in multi-family homes) • Archuleta County- rescinded• Huerfano County• Las Animas County • Boulder County• Sterling• Logan County• Hinsdale County• Golden• Trinidad • LaVeta• Longmont• Walsenburg• Pitkin County• Gunnison• Ridgway• Vail• Lakewood• Eagle County• Superior• Frisco• Summit County• Breckenridge• Dillon• Silverthorne

How do we make sure it is done right? (or try at least)

QUESTIONS?

Chrystine Kelley303-692-3442

chrys.kelley@state.co.us

www.coloradoradon.info