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ncradon

NC Radon Program. NC Radiation Protection Section Division of Environmental Health DENR. www.ncradon.org. What is it?... Where does it come from?...How does it affect me?...How do I prevent it?. Radon. Radon is a naturally occurring gas emitted from the earth.

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ncradon

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  1. NC Radon Program NC Radiation Protection Section Division of Environmental Health DENR www.ncradon.org

  2. What is it?... Where does it come from?...How does it affect me?...How do I prevent it?... Radon

  3. Radon is a naturally occurring gas emitted from the earth.

  4. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas.

  5. It is a naturally occurring gas that enters buildings, homes and the environment from the surrounding soil. RADON GAS RADIUM It comes from the decay of Uranium which decays into Radium and then in to Radon gas. URANIUM

  6. Sources of Radiation in the USA RADON

  7. Danger of Radon Radioactive decay of Radon atom Emits  radiation Emits  radiation Radon Decay Products • Polonium 218 • Polonium 214

  8. Plastic chip from passive radon test (alpha track) Magnified only 100 times 3 months at EPA Action Level of 4 pCi/L Alpha Particles Are Strong Enough To Pit Plastic!

  9. What Happens When Radon Decay Products Are Inhaled? • Highly radioactive particles (RDP’s) stick to lung tissue, where they can irradiate sensitive cells. • Radiation can alter the cells, sometimes damaging the DNA of the lung cells, thus increasing the potential for cancer. Image from: www.hipusa.com/eTools/webmd/A-Z_Encyclopedia/lungcancerbasics.htm

  10. Danger of Radon Radon Exposure is the Second Leading Cause of Lung Cancer! Image from: //health.allrefer.com/health/cancer-lung-cancer-frontal-chest-x-ray.html

  11. Radon is a National Problem...

  12. Radon is a National Problem...

  13. Radon is a North Carolina Problem...

  14. Radon Prevalence in NC Mountains Piedmont Coastal Zone 1: Highest Potential (> 4 pCi/L) Zone 2: Moderate Potential (2-4 pCi/L) Zone 3: Low Potential (< 2 pCi/L)

  15. Fight Radon Induced Lung Cancer! Encourage Radon Testing!

  16. Everyone Should Test for Radon! 0.3 pCi/L 4.8 pCi/L 6.8 pCi/L 10.0 pCi/L 1.2 pCi/L 0.5 pCi/L 2.1 pCi/L 1.4 pCi/L

  17. Where can I get a Radon Detection Kit? • Hardware Stores • Internet

  18. How much do Radon Detection Kits cost? Average Costs: Short-Term Kits: $10-$20 Long-Term Kits: $15-$25

  19. Radon Testing Short-Term Testing Takes 3-7 days Inexpensive Easy Long-Term Testing Takes 91+ days

  20. My Results are above 4 pCi/L... What do I do now? Repeat the test in the same location. (If possible repeat with a Long-Term Test) If the second test is above 4 pCi/L… Call a certified Radon Mitigator

  21. Homes with High Radon Levels can be Fixed!

  22. What is Radon Mitigation? Method of removing Radon from the home via ventilation through a PVC pipe and out above the roof.

  23. What Does A Mitigation System Do?

  24. Average Costs of Mitigation Home Under Construction: Less than $500

  25. Average Costs of Mitigation Existing Home: $500 - $2000

  26. What is a Certified Radon Mitigator/ Measurement Professional? Measurement and mitigation contractors certified by NEHA or NRSB have been trained and carry ID cards.

  27. What it Looks Like Underneath It All...

  28. Benefits of Having a Home Mitigated? • Decrease the amount of Radon in the home/building • Improved Air Quality • Decreased moisture • Decreased mold and other moisture irritants

  29. Interesting Science Project For Your Science Class/ Club

  30. THE SCIENCE OF THE RADON CANISTER

  31. Things to consider... • Type of Container • Charcoal Bed Depth • Diffusion Barrier • Fine Mesh Wire Screen • Hole Size • Humidity Problems • Duration of Exposure • Fabrication Procedures • Measurement/ Collection/ Analysis Procedures

  32. Things to consider... dQ dC D A = dt d Increase in Radon deposited on the charcoal bed per unit of time Difference in Radon concentration across where the air meets the charcoal bed Constant Value = * * Area of the hole

  33. WHAT IS A RADON CANISTER? Side View Top View

  34. Science of a Radon Canister • How to fabricate a Radon Canister

  35. Canister Construction

  36. Canister Deployment & Retrieval...

  37. Science of a Radon Canister • How to fabricate a Radon Canister • How to measure the amount of Radon in the canister

  38. Canister Analysis...

  39. Science of a Radon Canister • How to fabricate a Radon Canister • How to measure the amount of Radon in the canister • Analysis of Canister Results

  40. Canister Analysis... • Data is compiled on a computer • Several calculations are performed: • Time Calculations (measurement, detector, elapsed time periods) • Net Count (N) • Decay Factor (DF) • Radon Calculation (Rn) N Rn = (DF * CF)

  41. Analysis & Conclusion... Results of Test Canisters are compared to results of Background Canisters After Analysis is complete, the “used” canisters are recycled for use in other Radon Studies

  42. Analysis & Conclusion... • Data Results are analyzed and conclusions are drawn based on results • Re-testing may need to be performed to confirm findings of levels above 4 pCi/L • After all testing is complete, the “next step” is determined • Further Radon monitoring • Mitigation

  43. Science of a Radon Canister • How to fabricate a Radon Canister • How to measure the amount of Radon in the canister • Analysis of Canister Results • How to conduct a School Measurement Project

  44. How do I perform Testing in a School? 1) Floor plan of school and select rooms to be tested. 2) Deploy canisters. Record date, time, & location. 3) Retrieve canisters. Record date, time, & and special circumstances. 4) Analyze and use results to determine levels in school. 5) Determine whether mitigation needs to occur or retesting.

  45. If you think that you or your school would be interested in participating in a Special Radon Study Project, please let us know. Contact: Talytha Moore, Radon Specialist, RPS (919) 571-4141 talytha.moore@ncmail.net

  46. EPA Documents Available... Also available on the web… www.ncradon.org

  47. Radon Information NC RADIATION PROTECTION Felix Fong (State Radon Contact): felix.fong@ncmail.net Talytha Moore (Radon Specialist): talytha.moore@ncmail.net Lanny Watkins (Radon Specialist): lanny.watkins@ncmail.net Dale Dusenbury (Env. Rad. Specialist): dale.dusenbury@ncmail.net Phone: (919) 571-4141 Fax: (919) 571-4148 www.ncradon.org

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