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A Radon Guide
For Tenants
CONTENTS
Purpose Of This Guide 1
What Is Radon? 2
Does Your Home Have High Radon Levels? 3
Can You Test For Radon Yourself? 4
What Can You Do If Your Home Has High Radon Levels? 6
What Can Building Owners Do About Radon Problems? 7
Are Funds Available To Reduce High Radon Levels
In Rental Housing? 8
Renter's Radon Checklist 9
Additional Resources 10
Appendix: Radon Testing 13
Printed on recycled paper with soy-based inks.
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PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDE
HIS GUIDE is for people who rent their apartments or
houses. The guide explains what radon is, and how to
find out if there is a radon problem in your home. The
guide also talks about what you can do if there are high radon
levels in your home.
At the end of this guide is a list of state radon agencies and
other organizations that may be able to give you additional
information or assistance. Some of those offices have other
materials that may help you learn more about radon. For
example, the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) has developed several booklets, including:
® Citizen's Guide to Radon;
@ Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction; and
® Home Buyer's and Seller's Guide to Radon.
You can get these and other publications from EPA by
calling the National Radon Hotline at 1-800-767-7236. The
Citizen's Guide to Radon and the Consumer's Guide to Radon
Reduction are also available in Spanish (call 1-800-SALUD12).
• Research shows that radon causes between 7,000 and
30,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States.
• Over one-third of all housing units in this country are
rental units. Most of these are either single family houses
or apartments located below the third floor of a
building.
• People living in rented houses and apartment buildings
can find out whether there are high levels of radon gas
in their homes. Building owners can fix radon problems
by having repairs made to the building.
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WHAT IS RADON?
Radon is a radioactive gas that is found in soil and rock in all
parts of the United States. It is formed by the decay of uranium,
which is a natural process. Radon gas is invisible, and it has no
odor or taste.
What Types of Buildings Contain Radon?
• Radon may be found in all types of homes and buildings in
the United States. If there is radon gas in the ground, it can
seep into a building.
• Radon typically moves up from the ground into a home
through drains, cracks or other holes in the foundation.
Radon then can be trapped inside the home.
How Does Radon Affect Health?
• Studies show that radon is the second leading cause of lung
cancer, behind cigarette smoking.
• The higher the radon level indoors, the greater the amount
you breathe. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles
that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe. As
they break down, these particles release small bursts of
energy. This can damage lung tissue.
• Inhaling indoor air containing radon over a period of many
years can increase your risk of getting lung cancer. Your
chance of getting lung cancer from radon depends on how
much radon is in your home and how much
time you spend in your home. If you are a
smoker or a former smoker, the risk of
getting lung cancer from radon is
even greater.
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DOES YOUR HOME HAVE
HIGH RADON LEVELS?
You cannot see, smell or taste radon. Therefore, testing is the
only way to determine the radon level in your home.
Has Your Building Been Tested Already?
© If the building you live in has been tested properly for
radon, then you probably do not need to test for radon
yourself. Before or after you move in to your home (whether
you live in a house or apartment building), you can ask the
owner if the building has been tested for radon. If the owner
tells you that radon testing has been done already, you can
ask for a copy of the test results. If you have questions about
those results, you can call your state radon office for help, or
call the National Radon Helpline at 1-800-557-2366.
@ If you do not know whether your building has been tested
properly for radon, you can test for radon yourself or ask the
owner to test.
Because most indoor radon comes from naturally
occurring radon in the soil, high indoor levels are more
likely to exist below the third floor. This is why EPA
recommends testing all homes below the third floor.
In some cases, high radon levels have been found at or
above the third floor, due to radon movement through
elevators or other air shafts in the building. If your
apartment is at or above the third floor and you are
concerned about this possibility, you could also decide to
test for radon.
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CAN YOU TEST
FOR RADON YOURSELF?
• You can test for radon yourself. You can also hire a
professional to test your home for radon.
• Testing for radon is easy to do, and takes very little time.
• To test for radon yourself, you must first get a radon test
device. You can buy do-it-yourself radon test kits in
hardware stores and other similar stores. Some laboratories
provide kits through mail order. Make sure you get one that
meets EPA's requirements or your state's requirements — the
test kit will usually say so on the package.
• The price of a radon test kit starts at about ten dollars
($10.00). The price generally includes the cost of having a
laboratory analyze the test. More expensive types of radon
tests are also available; some of these are do-it-yourself kits,
and some are used mainly by professional radon testers.
9 If you cannot find a radon test kit in your community, you
can order a low cost test kit from the National Radon
Hotline by calling 1-800-767-7236.
The quickest way to test for radon is with a short-term
test. Short-term tests remain in your home for 2 days to
90 days, depending on the device. Long-term tests remain
in your home for more than 90 days.
Because radon levels tend to vary from day to day and
season to season, a long-term test is more likely to tell you
your home's year-round average radon level than a short-
term test.
To get more information about radon testing methods,
call the National Radon Hotline at 1-800-767-7236.
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How do you use a radon test kit?
It is important to follow the instructions that come with the
kit. When you use any radon test, keep in mind:
@ The test kit should be placed in the lowest level of your
home that your family uses regularly. For example, if you
live in a house and you use the basement, place the test kit
there. Otherwise, use the first floor. Put the test kit in a room
that is used regularly, but NOT in your kitchen or
bathroom.
9 Keep the test in place for as long as the instructions say, but
for at least 48 hours. Then, re-seal the package and mail it
to the laboratory mentioned on the package. Results should
be sent to you within a few weeks.
% Keep doors and windows closed as much as possible during
the test. Drafts can affect the test results.
What do radon test results mean?
@ Radon levels are measured in "picocuries per liter" or
"pCi/L." The higher the level, the greater the risk from long-
term exposure. EPA recommends that you take action to
reduce radon if the radon level in your home is 4 pCi/L or
higher. (This "action level" was set at 4 pCi/L partly because
it is technically possible to reduce radon to 4 pCi/L in most
homes.)
@ If you took a short-term test (see box on the previous page)
and your results were 4 pCi/L or higher, EPA recommends
doing a second test to confirm the results. You can do this
follow-up test yourself, or you can contact the owner about
the owner doing further testing. The Appendix at the back
of this guide contains an excerpt from EPA's Citizen's Guide
to Radon, which explains more about follow-up testing.
• If you have questions about what your test results mean,
contact your state radon office.
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WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOUR HOME
HAS HIGH RADON LEVELS?
Fixing a radon problem usually involves repairs to the
building. Therefore, it is generally the building owner — and
not the tenant — who is authorized to have this work done.
(See the next page.) However, if your home has high radon
levels, you can take steps to see that the problem is fixed.
• If your radon testing shows high radon levels, you should
inform the building owner in writing. In most states, owners
are required generally to keep their properties "habitable"
— safe and fit for people to live in. You can give the owner a
copy of your test results and discuss what steps the owner
plans to take to fix the problem. The owner will probably
need to do more radon testing in the building. You can ask
for copies of those test results.
• If you live in an apartment building, you can share your
radon information with other residents. Other residents
may wish to test their own units or to discuss the matter
further with the owner. (Even if your radon test showed low
radon levels, there may be high levels in other parts of the
building.)
• If you are concerned that a radon problem in your
building is not being fixed, you may want to get more
information and advice. For example, your state radon
office can provide you and the building owner with more
specific information about testing for and fixing radon
problems. Local community organizations that work on
radon or housing problems may be able to help find ways
to fix the radon problem in your building. For legal advice,
you can contact your local bar association for help in
finding a lawyer. Or, limited income tenants can contact the
nearest legal services office to find out if free legal assistance
is available. (See the end of this guide for telephone
numbers.)
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WHAT CAN BUILDING OWNERS
DO ABOUT; RADON PROBLEMS?
As mentioned earlier, rental property owners are usually
responsible for keeping their properties in a safe and fit
condition. There are steps that rental property owners can take
to address the problem of high radon levels.
® High radon levels can be reduced by making repairs to the
building. The right system depends on the design of the
building and other factors. State radon offices or the Radon
Fix It Line (1-800-644-6999) can provide general
information on methods for reducing radon. Also, the EPA's
Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction is a quick and easy way
to learn more about the different ways to fix radon
problems.
•• Radon reduction costs between $500 and $2,500 for a single
family home. For a larger building, the costs will depend on
the size and other characteristics of the building.
® Radon reduction work generally requires a trained
professional. To find out which radon reduction system is
right for a building, and how much those repairs will cost,
building owners should consult with a professional radon
contractor.
© The EPA and many states have
programs set up to train or certify
radon professionals. Your state
radon office can provide a list
of individuals who have •
completed state or
federal programs.
Or, you can call the
Radon Fix It Line for
free publications, referrals
or a list of EPA-approved
radon mitigators in your state.
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ARE FUNDS AVAILABLE
TO REDUCE HIGH RADON LEVELS
IN RENTAL HOUSING?
• There are some federal programs that might be used to help
fund radon reduction in homes that are affordable to
limited income families. These programs generally give
money to local agencies or groups, which then fund the
work. Some examples are:
• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
program — funds rehabilitation and repair of affordable
housing. For more information, call the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at
. 202-708-3587.
• "203k" program — funds rehabilitation and repair of
single family homes. For more information, call HUD at
202-708-2121.
• Environmental Justice Grants — funds community-
based organizations and tribal governments addressing
environmental concerns of people of color and low
income communities. For more information, call EPA's
Office of Environmental Justice at 1-800-962-6215.
• Some states have governmental programs that can
provide loans for radon reduction work in limited
income housing.
• Some community groups are raising funds from private
companies and foundations to pay for radon reduction in
limited income homes. One of these groups is the
Pennsylvania Resources Council — for more information
about its work, call 610-353-1555.
To find out more about federal and state programs, or about
how community groups have developed local projects to fix
radon problems, owners and residents can contact the govern-
ment agencies and organizations listed at the end of this guide.
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RENTER'S RADON CHECKLIST
• Find out whether the building you live in has been tested for
radon.
•• If your building has not been tested for radon, ask the
building owner to test, or test your own apartment or house.
• Follow the instructions included in your radon test kit. If
your short-term test shows radon levels above 4 pCi/L, EPA
recommends doing a follow-up test.
• If your test shows radon levels above 4 pCi/L, notify
the building owner of the test results in writing.
Discuss with the owner the need for additional
testing and radon reduction repairs.
• If you have high radon levels or if you
need additional information and
assistance about radon testing and
radon repairs, contact your state
radon office, the National Radon
Helpline or other organizations
that work on radon or housing
issues.
Smoking combined with exposure to high radon
levels is an even more serious health risk. If you smoke
or are a former smoker, the presence of radon greatly
increases your risk of lung cancer. If you stop smoking
and lower your radon levels, you will reduce your lung
cancer risk.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
State Radon Contacts
The following telephone numbers are for government offices
that address radon. If you have trouble reaching a radon office
in your state, or if you would like information on tribal
government radon programs, call the National Radon Helpline
at 1-800-557-2366.
Alabama
(800) 862-1866
Alaska
(800) 478-8324
Arizona
(602) 255-4845
Arkansas
(501) 661-2301
California
(800) 745-7236
Colorado
(800) 846-3986
Connecticut
(860) 509-7367
Delaware
(302) 739-4731
Florida
(800) 543-8279
Georgia
(800) 745-0037
Hawaii
(808) 586-4700
Idaho
(800) 445-8647
Illinois
(800) 325-1245
Indiana
(800) 272-9723
Iowa
(800) 383-5992
Kansas
(800) 693-5343
Kentucky
(502) 564-4856
Louisiana
(800) 256-2494
Maine
(800) 232-0842
Maryland
(877) 352-1973
Massachusetts
(413) 586-7525
Michigan
(800) 723-6642
Minnesota
(800) 798-9050
Mississippi
(800) 626-7739
Missouri
(800) 669-7236
Montana
(406) 444-6697
Nebraska
(800) 334-9491
Nevada
(702) 687-5394 x 275
New Hampshire
(603) 271-4674
New Jersey
(800) 648-0394
New Mexico
(505) 827-1557
New York
(800)458-1158
North Carolina
(919)571-4141
North Dakota
(701) 328-5188
Ohio
(800) 523-4439
Oklahoma
(405) 271-7634
Oregon
(503) 731-4014
Pennsylvania
(800) 237-2366
Rhode Island
(401) 222-2438
South Carolina
(800) 768-0362
South Dakota
(605) 773-3351
Tennessee
(800)232-1139
Texas
(512) 834-6688
Utah
(800) 458-0145
Vermont
(800) 439-8550
Virginia
(800) 468-0138
Washington
(360) 236-3253
West Virginia
(800) 922-1255
Wisconsin
(888) 569-7236
Wyoming
(800) 458-5847
District of Columbia
(202) 727-5728
Puerto Rico
(787) 274-7815
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Radon Information Hotlines
The following telephone numbers are run
by non-governmental, non-profit
organizations.
© To receive general information on radon:
National Radon Hotline
(National Safety Council)
1-800-SOS-RADON
(1-800-767-7236)
© To ask general questions about radon:
National Radon Helpline
(National Safety Council)
1-800-55-RADON
(1-800-557-2366)
• To get information on how to fix a radon problem:
Radon Fix It Line
(Consumer Federation of America)
1 -800-644-6999
® To ask general questions about radon in Spanish:
COSSMHO Information Line
(Coalition of Hispanic Health and
Human Services Organizations)
1-800-SALUD12
(1-800-725-8312)
202-387-5000
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Non-Governmental Organizations
In addition to the radon information hotlines, you can call
the following organizations for information or assistance.
• To find out more about radon and
local radon programs:
American Lung Association
To contact your local chapter, call 1-800-LUNG-USA
Environmental Law Institute
1616 P Street, N.W., Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20036
202-939-3800
9 To find a housing and community development organization
near you that works on affordable housing issues:
National Congress for
Community Economic Development
1875 Connecticut Ave., N.W.
Washington, D.C.
202-234-5009
* To find a legal services office near you that works on affordable
housing issues:
National Legal Aid and Defender Association
1625 K Street, N.W. Suite 800
Washington, D.C. 20006
(202) 452-0620
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APPENDIX — RADON TESTING
The following is an excerpt from EPA's Citizen's Guide to Radon:
EPA Recommends the Following Testing Steps:
Step 1
Take a short-term test. If your result is 4 pCi/l or higher*, take a
follow-up test (Step 2) to be sure.
Step 2
Follow up with either a long-term test or a second short-term
test:
© For a better understanding of your year-round average radon
level, take a long-term test.
H If you need results quickly, take a second short-term test.
The higher your initial short-term test result, the more certain
you can be that you should take a short-term rather than a long-
term follow up test. If your first short-term test result is several
times the action level — for example, about 10 pCi/L or higher —
you should take a second short-term test immediately.
Step 3
H If you followed up with a long-term test: Fix your home if
your long-term test result is 4pCi/L or more*.
® If you followed up with a second short-term test: The higher
your short-term results, the more certain you can be that you
should fix your home. Cpnsider fixing your home if the
average of your first and second test is 4pCi/L or higher*.
* 0.02 Working Levels (WL) or higher.
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