HadTown USA
Radon  in  Schools
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You can't see radon. You can't smell it or taste it. But it may be a problem in your home.
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Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all
rock and soils. Radon usually moves from the ground up and migrates into homes and other
buildings through openings in any ground contact floor or wall. Buildings trap radon inside,
where it accumulates and may become a health hazard. Any home or building may have a radon
problem, including schools.

Radon in schools can be a significant source of exposure to the people who spend the most time there,
specifically staff and students. EPA wants schools to have the information they need about radon readily
available. Radon in schools can be relatively easily detected using generally available test devices available
through professional testing services and laboratories.  The effects of radon exposure, i.e., lung cancer,
generally do not appear until after about age 40. Nevertheless it is still important to limit radon exposure in
children in order to minimize their future risk of radon-induced lung cancer.

Approximately 55 percent of our exposure to radiation comes from radon.


                        Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the
                        United States, with more than 20,000 Americans dying
                        each year from radon-related lung cancer.
Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths and smokers exposed to radon are at an even higher risk than
nonsmokers.

                      • Radon can be detected with a simple test and an
                     U elevated radon level can be remedied.
Radon in the air is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Where radon levels are four pCi/L or higher, the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that homeowners take
action to reduce the radon level. It is estimated that nearly one in 15 American homes has a radon level that
should be reduced. Testing your home is the only way to know.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J)  |  EPA 402-F-07-015
                                                                                      June 2007
                                                                 www. epa.gov/radtown/radon_schools. html

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 RadTown  USA
Who is protecting you

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA drives the national commitment to educate citizens about residential radon risks. To achieve this goal.
the Agency coordinates regional and state-level efforts to reduce exposure to radon.


The States

Individual states work closely with EPA to inform the public about how to reduce radon risks. Also, states
work closely with two non-governmental organizations, the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) and the
National Environmental Health Association (NEHA), to train and qualify local radon services providers (in
measurement and mitigation), and approve radon-testing laboratories.


What you can do to  protect  yourself

Radon gas in local schools can be a serious issue. The first step in reducing the risk is acknowledging its
existence.

D                         Radon can be detected with a simple test and an
                         elevated radon level can be remedied.

The preferred radon reduction technique is the active soil depressurization (ASD) system. ASD installation
includes the sealing of unwanted entry points in order for the system to function effectively. An ASD system
is basically a vent pipe with a fan that operates continuously to vent radon from beneath the school building.
Indoor air quality is a vital aspect of creating and maintaining a safe learning environment. Detailed guidance
and links to other information are available to assist in constructing new schools and in renovating existing
schools at EPA's Radon Publication Page.

For more information about radon, its risks, and what you can do to protect yourself, or to request a free copy
of EPA's "A Citizen's Guide to Radon", call the National Radon Hotline at 1-800-SOS-RADON or contact
your state's radiation office.
Resources
You can explore this radiation source further through the resources at the following URL:
http://www.epa.gov/radtown/radon_schools.html#resources

We provide these  resources on-line rather than here so we can keep the links up-to-date.
 United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air (6608J)
                                                                       EPA402-F-07-015
                                                                                        June 2007
                                                                   www. epa.gov/radtown/radon_schools. html

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