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Radon Testing & Risk in the Shenandoah Valley A Brief Introduction 1/29/14

Radon Testing & Risk in the Shenandoah Valley A Brief Introduction 1/29/14. Ryan Paris – Radiation Safety Specialist & Radon Coordinator Virginia Dept. of Health, Div. of Radiological Health ryan.paris@vdh.virginia.gov. Radon….

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Radon Testing & Risk in the Shenandoah Valley A Brief Introduction 1/29/14

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  1. Radon Testing & Risk in the Shenandoah ValleyA Brief Introduction1/29/14 Ryan Paris – Radiation Safety Specialist & Radon Coordinator Virginia Dept. of Health, Div. of Radiological Health ryan.paris@vdh.virginia.gov

  2. Radon…. • is a naturally occurring radioactive decay product of Uranium & has a radioactive half-life of approx. 3.8 days • tends to accumulate at higher concentrations in the lowest levels of the home • Radon’s short-lived radon decay products (RDPs) are solids that can adhere to dust particles and lung tissue • Radon and two RDPs (Po-218 & Po-214) all emit alpha particles which have limited range/penetrating power, but they can do great damage to lung tissue if inhaled

  3. Nearly 1 in 15 US homes is estimated to have elevated levels of radon.

  4. Benchmark Radon Levels: • Average US indoor radon levels ~ 1.3 pCi/L • Average US outdoor radon levels ~ 0.4 pCi/L • USEPA recommended indoor action level is 4.0 pCi/L or higher. Most other countries that have set radon action levels now use 5.4 pCi/L (200 Bq/m3) • Typical post-mitigation radon levels average between 0.5 -2.0 pCi/L. It is not possible to get indoor radon levels down to zero.

  5. CURRENT SMOKER: = 260/1000 = 150/1000 = 62/1000 = 20/1000 Lung Cancer Risk Associated with Radon Exposure Radon is thought to be the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking. It may cause as many as 21,000 lung cancer deaths/yr. in the USA – which includes approx.670/yr. in Virginia! Lung cancer risk below is calculated based on a full 70 year lifetime of constant exposure to radon at a known level. The risk is also thought to increase dramatically for those with a smoking history. IF NEVER SMOKED: At 20 pCi/L: = 36/1000 At 10 pCi/L: = 18/1000 At 4 pCi/L: = 7/1000 At 1.3 pCi/L = 2/1000

  6. USEPA Radon Zone Map for the Mid Atlantic States

  7. Radon Test Results for Jurisdictions in: Alleghany, Central Shenandoah, Lord Fairfax and Pittsylvania/Danville LHDs County/City Avg. (pCi/L) Tests % =/> 4.0 pCi/L Augusta 4.5 192 27 Botetourt 4.5 669 36 Clarke 5.9 208 49 Danville 4.4 239 41 Frederick 7.8 608 47 Harrisonburg 4.3 636 36 Page 2.7 192 24 Pittsylvania 2.9 141 26 Roanoke Co. 2.8 3734 20 Roanoke City 3.2 3191 24 Rockbridge 4.8 64 36 Rockingham 4.7 459 38 Salem 3.1 1008 25 Shenandoah 4.0 272 35 Warren 5.2 219 37 Winchester 7.5 480 60 Test kits provided & analyzed by Air Chek from 1986-2013 minimum of 50 test results used to calculate average. Jurisdictions with <50 test results not shown.

  8. How to Test? • Professional radon testers that are currently certified according to VA law may be found on the websites of the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) (www.nrpp.info) or the National Radon Safety Board (NRSB) (www.nrsb.org). • EPA recommends any one of these choices: • ONE short term (48 hr. minimum) continuous radon monitor (CRM) test • Or an average of TWO short term tests using other technologies • Or ONE long-term test (90 day minimum) • A long term test lasting an entire year is the most accurate test method – especially in borderline cases! • Consumers can purchase activated charcoal s.t. ($10-15) or alpha track l.t. test kits ($20-30) directly from approved vendors.

  9. Radon Test Devices Continuous Radon Monitors Continuous Digital Radon Monitor Electret Ion Chambers Activated Charcoal Test Kits Long-term Alpha Track Detectors

  10. Radon in Water • Radon is usually only a potential problem in wells (ground water) • USEPA has yet to finalize ANY proposed health standards/recommendations/methods regarding radon in water. • The proposed USEPA radon in water standard may eventually be finalized at 4,000 pCi/L. • Radon in water poses a comparatively insignificant ingestion risk but radon in water can evaporate into the air when the water is agitated (showers faucets, dish/clothes washers). • 10,000 pCi/L in water is thought to contribute 1 pCi/L to indoor radon air levels. • Mitigating a home’s water with best available technology may cost up to $4000-5000.

  11. Whatare Radon-resistant construction techniques? The techniques may vary for different foundations and site requirements, but the basic elements are: Gas Permeable LayerThis layer is placed beneath the slab or flooring system to allow the soil gas to move freely underneath the house. In many cases, the material used is a 4-inch layer of clean gravel. Plastic SheetingPlastic sheeting is placed on top of the gas permeable layer and under the slab to help prevent the soil gas from entering the home. In crawlspaces, the sheeting is placed over the crawlspace floor. Sealing and CaulkingAll openings in the concrete foundation floor are sealed to reduce soil gas entry into the home. Vent PipeA 3- or 4-inch gas-tight or PVC pipe (commonly used for plumbing) runs from the gas permeable layer through the house to the roof to safely vent radon and other soil gases above the house. Junction BoxAn electrical junction box is installed in case an electric venting fan is needed later. RRCT/RRNC Diagram Properly installed passive RRNC is thought to reduce indoor radon levels by approx. 50%!

  12. Radon Law in Virginia: • NO state or federal law currently REQUIRES radon testing or mitigation prior to a real estate sale. It is entirely negotiable between the parties involved! • To date, very few eligible Zone 1 VA counties/cities have adopted Radon Resistant Construction Techniques (RRCT) into their building codes.As of 2009, only two eligible counties (Rockbridge and Shenandoah) and 6 cities (Blacksburg, Buena Vista, Lexington, Radford, Roanoke and Salem) have adopted that ordinance into their building codes. • VA law requires all school classrooms to be tested for radon.

  13. Radon Mitigation for an Existing Home Fan with coupling from PVC to gutter downspout piping Interior piping schematic Proper exterior riser pipe

  14. Further Information • Va. Dept. of Health – Office of Radiological Health: 804-864-8150 Toll-free in VA: 800-468-0138 Radon Website: www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/radiologicalhealth/radon/index • Free USEPA Radon publications (most can be read or downloaded on-line): www.epa.gov/radon/pubs • 1-800-SOS Radon • Spanish 1-800-725-8312 • Safe Drinking Water Hotline 1-800-426-4791

  15. QUESTIONS?

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