"All students have the right to expect a safe and
healthy school 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
"When environmental hazards such as radon
endanger the healthful environment of a school,
parents must become involved to ensure that
the buildings are safe. Radon in schools poses a
real danger, but fortunately one that can be
addressed quickly and at relatively low cost. To
ignore the problem would be a serious mistake."
Ann Lynch
National PTA President
For more information contact your
State Radon Office.
AL (205) 261-5315
AK (907) 465-3019
AZ (602) 255-4845
AR (501) 661-2301
CA (415) 540-2134
CO (303) 331-4812
CT (203) 566-3122
DE (800) 554-4636
DC (202) 727-7728
FL (800) 543-8279
GA (404) 894-6644
HI (808) 548-4383
ID (208) 334-5927
IL (217) 786-6384
IN (800) 272-9723
IA (515) 281-7781
KS (913) 296-1560
KY (502) 564-3700
LA (504) 925-4518
ME (207) 289-3826
MD (301) 631-3300
MA (413) 586-7525
Ml (517) 335-8190
MN (612) 623-5348
MS (601) 354-6657
MO (800) 669-7236 (in State)
MT (406) 444-3671
NE (402) 471 -2165
IMV (702) 885-5394
IMH (603) 271-4674
NJ (800) 648-0394 (in State)
NM (505) 822-2940
NY (800) 458-1158 (in State)
NC (919) 733-4283
ND (701) 224-2348
OH (800) 523-4439
OK (405) 271-5221
OR (503) 229-5797
PA(800)23-RADON
PR (809) 767-3563
Rl (401) 277-2438
SC (803) 734-4700/4631
SD (605) 773-3153
TN (615) 741-4634
TX (512) 835-7000
UT (801) 538-6734
VT (802) 828-2886
VA (800) 468-0138 (in State)
WA (800) 323-9727 (in State)
WV (304) 348-3526/3427
Wl (608) 273-8180
WY (307) 777-6015
For more information on radon in homes
call 1-800-SOS-Radon.
United States 520/1-89-027
Environmental Protection October 1999
Agency
Air and Radiation (ANR-464)
&EPA Radon in
Schools
nea
The National
Education Association
I The National Parent
' Teacher Association
-------
CKances are you've already heard
of radon a radioactive gas which can
cause lung cancer.
But what you might not have
heard is that high levels of
radon have been found
in a number of
schools across the
country.
Scientists believe that
children may be espe-"^
daily vulnerable to
the effects of radon. Which is why it is
important that both students and parents
be aware that a potential problem could
exist in their school.
The only way to determine if a problem
exists, is to test for it.
Taking a radon test 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
danger can be eliminated, simply and
economically.
Radon Could Be
A Serious Threat
In Your School.
The EPA ranks indoor radon among the
most serious environmental problems fac-
ing us today. It is the second leading cause
of lung-cancer in the United States.
\
Radon is"a"na|urally occurring gas that
/<^^N _cp^_seeps into
X*»M /
buildings from
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.
In a preliminary study of 16 states,
EPA found that over half the
schools tested had at least one
classroom with radon screening
/
measurements that ex-
ceeded EPA guidelines.
What are the conse-
quences of high radon levels?
-------
Our children may be exposed to a risk
equivalent of smoking half a pack of
cigarettes or more a day. Obviously,
the higher the radon *>
level, the greater the
risk is of developing
lung cancer.
As a result of these
findings, EPAAdminis-
trator, William K. Reilly recommends that
schools nationwide be tested for radon.
How Are Schools
Tested For Radon?
Testing for radon is simple. EPA has
published guidance that has been issued
to schools throughout the country.
: Basically, this is how the testing
procedure, works:
All frequently used rooms on and
below the ground level should be tested.
Tests should be conducted in the
SCREENING TEST
RESULT
ACTION
Over20pCi/L
4 pCi/L -
20 pCi/L
Less than
4pCi/L
School officials should take confirmatory
measurements which last 2 days to 4 weeks.
If screening measurement is above 100 pCi/L,
school officials may wish to relocate children.
School officials should take 9-12 month con-
firmatory measurements.
School officials should decide whether
confirmatory measurements are necessary.
-------
cooler months of the year.
Screening tests lasting for 2 days
to three months should be conducted to
determine a school's potential for having
a radon problem. .
Schools should conduct confirmatory
measurements if screening levels
indicate a potential radon prob-
lem (greater than 4pCi/L)
Schools should
take action to reduce
levels if confirmatory
measurements are
greater than 4 pCi/L.
What Happens
IfYourSchod
Fails The Test?
Fortunately if your school does fail the
radon test, the problem can be corrected
simply and economically.
Proven techniques are available that
will lower radon levels and lower your
child's risk of ever developing lung cancer
in his or her lifetime.
Every Home
Should Take
This Test, Too,
School isn't the only place your child
can be exposed to radon.
Since children spend more time at home,
radon levels here can pose a much greater
threat to their health.
The Surgeon General has 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. Mil-
lions of homes have elevated radon levels. Most
homes should be tested for radon. When elevat-
ed levels are confirmed, the problem should be
corrected."
Surgeon General
Once again, the testing is simple and in-
expensive. For approximately $10 to $15,
you can determine whether or not your
home has a potential radon problem. .
After all, radon is one health problem no-
body should have to live with at home
or at school.
------- |