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Spokane Tribal Air Quality Program: RADON

Spokane Tribal Air Quality Program: RADON. Twa-le Abrahamson Air Quality Coordinator National Tribal Forum - June 2011. Spokane Indian Reservation. 160,000 acres, located in Eastern Washington. Radon: Spokane Reservation.

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Spokane Tribal Air Quality Program: RADON

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  1. Spokane Tribal Air Quality Program:RADON Twa-le Abrahamson Air Quality Coordinator National Tribal Forum - June 2011

  2. Spokane Indian Reservation • 160,000 acres, located in Eastern Washington

  3. Radon: Spokane Reservation • Reservation is rich in uranium deposits and has high radon potential (Zone 1) • No comprehensive study • Previous testing indicated high levels, several times higher than recommended levels • No follow-up to completed mitigation efforts

  4. Midnite Uranium Mine • Contaminants: radionuclides and heavy metals in acid mine drainage, radioactive decay, and particulate transport in air, surface water, and groundwater. • In as soon as two years, millions of tons of contaminated material will be moved using heavy equipment. Remediation is expected to take 8 to 10 years.

  5. Getting off the ground…. • Radon testing is an excellent opportunity to implement: • Tools for Schools Program • IAQ Stakeholder Committee • Healthy Homes/Asthma Outreach • Collaborations create an opportunity to combine funding, staff training and experience • Community participation will increase buy-in and implementation of recommendations

  6. Research – Indian Health Service, County and State Testing • Organize • Secure Senior Buy-In • Develop a Systematic Approach • Build an Effective Team • Standard Operating Procedures Available from many EPA sources (Radon, Tools for Schools) • Communicate With Everyone All the Time • Be Transparent and Inclusive

  7. Prioritization by accessibility of both entry and access to mitigation funding • 1) Rental homes • 2) Schools and Tribal offices • 3) Individual Homeowners

  8. Tribal Natural Resources Air Quality Superfund Tribal Housing Director Maintenance Inspectors Interested Community Members/Grassroots Indian Health Services Local School District Teachers Maintenance Administration Students Parents Energy Assistance Programs IAQ Stakeholders

  9. Act to Address Structural, Institutional and Behavioral Issues • Test for Radon • Implement Radon Reduction Plans (Radon Resistant New Construction Building Codes) • Educate Construction and Maintenance Staff about Radon Mitigation (NEHA/WRRTC) • Plan Your Short- and Long-Term Activities • Work in Stages • Prioritize Actions • Evaluate Your Results for Continuous Improvement • Solicit Feedback • Ensure Continuity of Radon Management Plan

  10. Initial Testing for Radon • Short-term (7 day) test • Charcoal canisters - provided by EPA • Follow EPA Protocols for testing radon in homes and schools • Long Term – Eperm • Electret Ion Chambers • Flexibility in Monitoring • Reusable • Reduces shipping constrictions and waiting for results

  11. Lem’lmts (Thank You) Twa-le Abrahamson Spokane Tribal Natural Resources Twalea@spokanetribe.com (509) 626-4403

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