Radon At Tahoe by Jeff Miner For the Tahoe Area Sierra Club February 18, 2010

Radon at Lake Tahoe The Problem The Problem The Solution The Solution Why We Ignore Radon Why We Ignore Radon Action We Could Take Action We Could Take An Overview

Radon At Tahoe For 24 years I had high levels of radon gas in my house, and I did not know it. When I tested my house and understood the problem, I was able to fix it myself. This web page is dedicated to people like myself who want to know if they have a radon problem and want to get it fixed.

Do It Yourself Manual

Continuous Electronic Radon Tester

Radon Movement

EPA California Radon Map EPA California Radon Map

EPA Nevada Radon Map EPA Nevada Radon Map

Radon does not stop at borders

Four Studies California Radon Survey California Radon Survey Nevada Radon Survey Nevada Radon Survey Tahoe Radon Survey Tahoe Radon Survey CGS Tahoe Radon Potential CGS Tahoe Radon Potential But very little action

California DHS statewide radon study “The Sierra Nevada region was significantly higher than other areas….” “The Sierra Nevada region was significantly higher than other areas….” Estimated that 11-45% of homes are above the U.S. EPA action level. Estimated that 11-45% of homes are above the U.S. EPA action level. Only 1% of homes in California have elevated radon, low radon state. Only 1% of homes in California have elevated radon, low radon state. Sierra Nevada are a low populated region Sierra Nevada are a low populated region Conclusion: We are not a priority, so no action taken for last 20 years. Conclusion: We are not a priority, so no action taken for last 20 years.

Nevada 1991 Radon Survey 10% of Nevada homes have elevated radon 10% of Nevada homes have elevated radon But Zephyr Cove: 69%* of homes have elevated radon But Zephyr Cove: 69%* of homes have elevated radon No action taken to alert Zephyr Cove residents. No action taken to alert Zephyr Cove residents. Nevada Radon program recently taken over by University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension Nevada Radon program recently taken over by University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Extension * The highest in the state! * The highest in the state!

Tahoe Radon Survey California Dept. of Public Health sent 7,700 letters to Tahoe Area residents in : California Dept. of Public Health sent 7,700 letters to Tahoe Area residents in : El Dorado County El Dorado County Placer County Placer County Nevada County Nevada County Over 1,400 tests were received back Over 1,400 tests were received back Results showed that over 35% of homes in the Sierra Nevada and 39% of homes in South Lake Tahoe have elevated radon. Results showed that over 35% of homes in the Sierra Nevada and 39% of homes in South Lake Tahoe have elevated radon.

Current Radon Tests Results After 2007 Tahoe Radon Survey

Tahoe Radon Survey

2009 California Geological Survey Tahoe Radon Potential

Let’s Review: Is Radon a Problem at Tahoe? Radon causes lung cancer. 2 nd only to cigarette smoke. 21,000 deaths a year from radon. Radon causes lung cancer. 2 nd only to cigarette smoke. 21,000 deaths a year from radon. Granite is high in Uranium, Radium, Radon Granite is high in Uranium, Radium, Radon Tahoe has plenty of granite. Sierra batholith. Tahoe has plenty of granite. Sierra batholith. 90% of South Tahoe homes are in high radon geology areas. Actual tests so far 39% test high. 90% of South Tahoe homes are in high radon geology areas. Actual tests so far 39% test high. So, why are we not doing more about it? So, why are we not doing more about it? Answer: Politics and Psychology. Answer: Politics and Psychology.

Radon Ordinance Appendix F of IRC Radon Resistant New Construction

El Dorado County Part Radon Awareness Program OBJECTIVES: OBJECTIVES: Develop awareness of radon and its possible health hazards Develop awareness of radon and its possible health hazards Distribute pamphlets at local grocery stores and post offices Distribute pamphlets at local grocery stores and post offices Public presentations at Board of Realtors, service groups, special events, etc. Public presentations at Board of Realtors, service groups, special events, etc. Board/City Resolutions to support January as National Radon Action Month Board/City Resolutions to support January as National Radon Action Month Radon awareness insert with utility bills Radon awareness insert with utility bills Encourage community members to seek additional information about radon. Encourage community members to seek additional information about radon. Public service announcements on local radio stations/newspaper articles Public service announcements on local radio stations/newspaper articles Inform community members as to various methods/sources for home radon testing. Inform community members as to various methods/sources for home radon testing. Display test kits at local lumber and hardware stores Display test kits at local lumber and hardware stores

El Dorado County Part Radon Awareness Program Encourage community members to test homes for radon. Encourage community members to test homes for radon. Provide coupons for free test kits (if available from State) Provide coupons for free test kits (if available from State) Promote State program for $5 test kits Promote State program for $5 test kits Work with Middle School/High School Science teachers to do radon project with their students—test their homes and track results Work with Middle School/High School Science teachers to do radon project with their students—test their homes and track results Inform community members on Radon Reduction Methods Inform community members on Radon Reduction Methods Send letters to survey participants with radon results at or above action level Send letters to survey participants with radon results at or above action level Provide copies of “How to Fix Your Home” Provide copies of “How to Fix Your Home” Consider providing workshop for homeowners Consider providing workshop for homeowners Expand list of State Certified Radon Mitigators Expand list of State Certified Radon Mitigators

El Dorado County Part Radon Awareness Program Encourage builders to include “Radon Resistant New Construction” (RRNC) in the construction of new homes. Encourage builders to include “Radon Resistant New Construction” (RRNC) in the construction of new homes. Workshop for contractors, architects, engineers on methods of RRNC Workshop for contractors, architects, engineers on methods of RRNC Recommend to Development Services the adoption of a RRNC code for Tahoe area (similar to Appendix F of the International Residential Code) Recommend to Development Services the adoption of a RRNC code for Tahoe area (similar to Appendix F of the International Residential Code) Consider sending a Building Inspector and an Environmental Health Specialist to NEHA Radon certification class. Consider sending a Building Inspector and an Environmental Health Specialist to NEHA Radon certification class. Provide copies of “Building Radon Out” at City and County Building Departments and TRPA Provide copies of “Building Radon Out” at City and County Building Departments and TRPA Encourage radon reduction as part of Green Building Encourage radon reduction as part of Green Building

El Dorado County Part Radon Awareness Program MEASUREMENTS OF SUCCESS: MEASUREMENTS OF SUCCESS: Track the number of tests submitted for testing and their results Track the number of tests submitted for testing and their results Track the number of homes built with RRNC Track the number of homes built with RRNC TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION: TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION: December 2007: December 2007: Web site improvements, letters out to survey participants with results at or above action level, school district radon survey results Web site improvements, letters out to survey participants with results at or above action level, school district radon survey results January 2008: January 2008: Radon Awareness Month, resolutions, coupons/ free radon tests kits, public outreach, student projects at schools Radon Awareness Month, resolutions, coupons/ free radon tests kits, public outreach, student projects at schools February 2008: February 2008: Workshops for homeowners/contractors Workshops for homeowners/contractors

Real Estate Transactions Natural Hazard Natural Hazard Disclosure Statement Required for All Real Estate Sales in California Radon Hazards in El Dorado County are listed as Moderate

LEED Green Building United States Green Building Council’s LEED Certification Program Does NOT require RRNC (Radon Resistant New Construction) on LEED Certified Green Buildings in El Dorado, Placer or Nevada Counties (moderate radon counties)

What Could The County Do? Test county buildings at Tahoe Train contractors and builders in RRNC Move forward to complete the items on the Radon Awareness Program list Develop a program to work and collaborate with local citizens, myself included Expand the EMD web site to include local statistics and maps

What Could the County Do? Support efforts to get the LEED green building certification program to recognize Tahoe as a High, not Moderate radon potential area Support efforts to get the Real Estate Hazard Disclosure Report to use current radon maps, not the old EPA Radon Map which still shows Tahoe as a Moderate radon risk area The above item would really increase the awareness of the actual radon potential of this area, as reported in the CGS Radon Potential Report, since every real estate transaction in California is required to have the hazard report and currently it is misleading.

What Action To Take? Moral: Don’t wait for government to act Test your own home Reasons people test. Reasons people don’t test. Time for Questions.

Newborn Radon Program

Radon Tee World Trek

Building Radon Out

Radon Ready New Construction – RRNC On Slab Foundation

Crawl Space Foundation Mitigation

Slab Foundation Mitigation

Pipe Runs under barrier cloth and out through air vent

Fan and vent pipe on outside

Electricity 110 volt or 12 volt

Certified Radon Mitigators in California

California Certified Radon Testers

LEED for Homes Indoor Air Quality Not a priority so not taken seriously by builders

Training

Hear Nothing See Nothing Do Nothing

Radon and Business Radon Ordinances and Building Codes Radon Ordinances and Building Codes Large Problem yet Unrealized Large Problem yet Unrealized No Competition but also Not Much Business No Competition but also Not Much Business Good Seasonal Job for Contractor Good Seasonal Job for Contractor Concept of the “Tipping Point” Concept of the “Tipping Point” Easy to get trained and certified Easy to get trained and certified

International Building Code

El Dorado County Leaves Radon Out of Community Update 2005 to Present

Radon in the News

Cancer Survivors Against Radon Cansar.org

Radon and Real Estate Sales

U.S. Forest Service Building High in Radon 20 – 60 pCi/L High in Radon 20 – 60 pCi/L

Radon Often Ignored by Builders Even “Green” Builders Not in building code – no radon ordinance Not in building code – no radon ordinance LEED – Radon is low priority. Only 1 point. LEED – Radon is low priority. Only 1 point. LEED for Homes - Required only for High radon counties on old EPA map. Not accurate. LEED for Homes - Required only for High radon counties on old EPA map. Not accurate. Commercial Building - Not required Commercial Building - Not required Schools – Not required Schools – Not required Government Buildings – Not required Government Buildings – Not required Non-LEED homes – Not required Non-LEED homes – Not required

What’s Next? Where there’s a will, there’s a way Where there’s a will, there’s a way First education, then motivation, then action First education, then motivation, then action Start with your own home, test it. Start with your own home, test it. New projects should address radon – new school building, etc. New projects should address radon – new school building, etc. Government should test their buildings Government should test their buildings “Green” builders should be held to a higher standard. “Green” builders should be held to a higher standard.

I Need Your Help Join me in raising radon awareness Join me in raising radon awareness Get your own house tested Get your own house tested Tell your friends Tell your friends Bring radon up at Tahoe Business Gatherings Bring radon up at Tahoe Business Gatherings Your ideas and participation Your ideas and participation

With your help radon induced lung cancer can be avoided Thank You Jeff Miner Radon At Tahoe