Transcript Radon Testing in Connecticut Schools CSBGA Meeting May 20, 2015 Lynn Hudak CT DPH Radon Program.

Radon Testing
in Connecticut Schools
CSBGA Meeting
May 20, 2015
Lynn Hudak
CT DPH Radon Program
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Agenda
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Radon and its health effects
Measurement in schools
Mitigation in schools
5 year Re-Evaluation
RRNC (Radon Resistant New Construction)
Health Effects
As you are aware…
 Radon is a known
human carcinogen
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Prolonged exposure to
elevated radon
concentrations causes
an increased risk of lung
cancer
State Department of Education
(SDE) Statute
Pertaining to evaluation of IAQ
CT General Statute Section 10-220 (d):
Prior to January 1, 2008, and every five years
(Re-Evaluation) thereafter, every school
building that is constructed, extended,
renovated, or replaced shall be evaluated for
radon levels in air.
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School Radon Testing
The only way to
know whether or not
an elevated level of
radon is present in
any room of a school
is to test every
occupied room in
contact with the
ground.
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Recommended Radon Test Devices
Short Term Tests
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2 to 7 day testing period
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Activated Charcoal Devices
most commonly used in
testing schools
Who Conducts Radon Testing?
Testing may be conducted by:
 professionals certified by one of the Radon
Proficiency Programs; and
 professionals who have successfully completed the
DPH Radon Measurement in CT Schools course.
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Testing Conditions
Test occupied buildings:
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Under closed building conditions
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During the coldest months of the year
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12 hours prior to the test and during the test period (72 hrs.)
(Nov 1 thru March 31)
During weekdays - HVAC systems operating
normally
Test Locations
Test:
• All frequently
occupied rooms in
contact with the
ground (Initial testing)
• Classrooms, offices,
laboratories,
cafeterias, libraries,
gymnasiums
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Do NOT Test:
• Rest rooms,
locker rooms,
hallways,
stairwells,
elevator shafts,
utility closets,
storage closets
Do NOT Test:
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During school breaks (students are not present)
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Election Day
Teacher Conference Days
• During unusual weather conditions
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Periods of unusually high winds
• During structural changes or renovations to the school
building
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HVAC system modifications/upgrades
Do not test if, in the near future:
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The HVAC system is scheduled to be replaced
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Your school building is scheduled to be
demolished or
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the school will be closing & the students will
be moving to another school building
Measurement Strategy for FollowUp School Testing
If results are less than 4.0 pCi/L, follow-up
testing is not needed.
If results above 4.0 pCi/L, follow-up testing is
needed to obtain an average result.
● Follow-up testing conducted within one month of
receiving the initial test results in every room under the
same conditions with an initial test result of 4 pCi/L or
greater.
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Completion and Reporting
Radon Professional
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Completes the CT
DPH Initial or Reevaluation School
Radon Testing Report
Form
Provides the CT DPH
Report form and test
results with report to
the school
School Administration
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Sign CT DPH School Radon Testing
Report (facilities staff)
Notify parents and staff of radon testing
results in a brief summary ASAP but no
later than 1 month after follow-up
results are received. If elevated radon
levels exist, include plan to reduce.
Keep a copy of the complete report in
main office for interested staff or
parents to view
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Provide it to the radon professionals prior to
the 5 year re-evaluation
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5 Year Re-Evaluation of Radon
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School rooms with radon mitigation systems require reevaluation of the mitigated rooms every 2 years.
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System maintenance; do not send a school form to CT DPH
School rooms (with no elevated levels > 4 pCi/L) require
re-evaluation every five years in 10% of the original
rooms tested.
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a different 10% of rooms should be chosen in ten years, etc.
Many schools are due for a 5 year Re-evaluation
Check list before you leave today!
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Radon Reduction-Mitigation
Active Sub-slab Depressurization
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Radon Mitigation Cost
Can be submitted for reimbursement to SDE
 Is considered a code compliance violation
 Must exceed $10,000
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Approximate cost of three (3) systems
Radon Resistant New Construction
CT General Statute 10-291 (b):
 The Department of Education shall not approve
a school building project plan or site…if the site
is in an area of moderate or high radon
potential…except where the school building
project incorporates construction techniques to
mitigate radon levels in air of the facility…”
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Radon Potential Map of CT
Zone 1: Highest Potential
(greater than 4 pCi/L)
Zone 2: Moderate
Potential
(from 2 to 4 pCi/L)
Zone 3: Low Potential
(less than 2 pCi/L)
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Questions?
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