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information on how to find a "qualified" radon service professional.

For more information, call: 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236)

THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION
Recommends testing homes and schools for radon

This brochure was published with the cooperation of the National
Education Association EXitisssimes], Parent Teachers
Exits] and The American Lung Association

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Last updated on Monday, March 24th, 2003
URL: http:/www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/schoolrn. html

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EPA Home > Air > indoor Air > Radon > Publications > Radon in Schools

“Radon in Schools (2nd Ed.)"

Office of Air and Radiation (6604J)
EPA Document #EPA-402-F-94-009
October 1994

Radon Could Be a Serious Threat to Your School

Chances are you've already heard of radon -
¥ a radioactive gas that can cause lung cancer.

a An Schoo!
But what you might not have heard is that high

nou ld fake levels have been found in a number of schools
across the country. Therefore, it is important

Sint? > that students, teachers, and parents be aware

eat that a potential problem could exist in their
e

Se

school. A nationwide survey of radon levels in
schools estimates that nearly one in five has at
least one schoolroom with a short-term radon
level above the action level of 4 pCi/L
(picoCuries per liter) - the level at which EPA
recommends that schools take action to reduce
the level. EPA estimates that more than
seventy thousand (70,000) schoolrooms in use
today have high short-term radon levels.

The only way to determine if a problem exists is
to test for it. Having your school tested for
radon is something you may want to discuss
with your school officials. Because as real as
the threat of radon is, the good news is that the
problem can be solved.

EPA's national survey of schools
produced some alarming results about
concentrations in our children's classrooms. Public awareness must
be raised about the hazards of radon to hasten efforts to reduce the
danger. All schools must be tested to determine if there is a
problem, and schools must inform parents of the results. We cannot
ignore this problem." Kathryn Whitfill, National PTA President.

The EPA ranks indoor
radon among the most
serious environmental
health problems facing
us today. After
smoking, it is the
second leading cause
of lung cancer in the

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Radon Publications - Page 2 of 4

United States causing an estimated fourteen thousand (14,000) lung cancer
deaths a year.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that seeps into buildings from the surrounding
soil. In some cases, well water may be a source of radon.

You can't see, taste, or smell radon. In fact, the only way to discover if high levels
of radon are present is through testing.

All students have the right to expect a safe and healthy environment.
Teachers and other school employees should encourage their
schools to conduct radon tests and undertake all necessary
corrective actions. The health of our children demands no less.
Keith Geiger, NEA President.

Radon gas decays into radioactive
particles that can get trapped in your
lungs when you breathe.

As these particles break down, they
release small bursts of energy. This
can damage lung tissue and lead to
lung cancer over the course of your
lifetime. An individual's risk of getting
lung cancer from radon depends
mostly on three factors: the level of
radon, the duration of exposure, and
their smoking habits.

EPA recommends that all schools
nationwide be tested for radon. To
date, approximately twenty percent
(20%) of the schools nationwide have
done some testing. Some states have tested all their public schools.

How are schools tested for radon?

Testing for radon is
simple and relatively
inexpensive. EPA has
published guidance that
is available free to
schools throughout the
country. Call your State
Radon Office for more
information.

The basic elements of
testing are:

e Test all

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frequently used rooms on and below the ground level.
e Conduct tests in the cooler months of the year.
e Follow the testing strategy below.

School Testing Strategy:
Step 1: Initial Testing:
e Take Short-term tests.
Step 2: Follow-up Testing:

« Take a second short-term test in rooms where the initial level
is 4 pCi/L or higher.

e Take a long-term test in these rooms for a better
understanding of the school-year average radon level.

Step 3: Take action to reduce levels if: The average of the initial and
short-term follow-up test is 4 pCi/L or greater or the result of the
long-term test is 4 pCi/L or greater.

What happens if your school fails the test?

Fortunately, even if your school
does fail the radon test, the
problem can be corrected.
Proven techniques are available
that will lower radon levels and
lower risks of lung cancer from
radon exposure.

Every home should also
take this test.

School isn't the only place that
students and teachers can be
exposed to radon.

Since children spend more time at home, high radon levels there
can pose a much greater threat to their health.

The Surgeon General joined EPA in issuing a national health advisory urging
Americans to test their homes for radon.

"Indoor radon gas is a national health problem. Radon causes thousands of
deaths each year. Millions of homes have elevated radon levels. Most homes
should be tested for radon. When elevated levels are confirmed, the problem
should be corrected."

Surgeon General

Once again, testing is simple and inexpensive. After all, radon is one health
problem nobody should have to live with - at home or at school.

Call your state radon office for a list of radon device companies that
have met state requirements. See our radon proficiency page for

http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/schoolrn. html 9/10/2004