CSBGA Meeting May 20, 2015 Lynn Hudak CT DPH Radon Program Radon Testing in Connecticut Schools 1

Introductions Overview of DPH Radon Program – Francesca Provenzano, Program Supervisor – Allison Sullivan, EA3 Schools contact – Lynn Hudak, HPA2 Day Care contact Measurement & mitigation applicants and website list updates 2

Agenda Radon and its health effects Measurement in schools Mitigation in schools 5 year Re-Evaluation RRNC (Radon Resistant New Construction) 3

Health Effects As you are aware… Radon is a known human carcinogen Prolonged exposure to elevated radon concentrations causes an increased risk of lung cancer 4

History of Radon in Schools EPA investigates radon in schools throughout Fairfax County, Virginia. Data collected helped to develop an interim guide for measuring radon in U.S. schools. 5

Results of Radon Survey Estimates 1 in 5 U.S. schools have at least 1 ground contact room with short- term radon levels above 4 pCi/L 70,000+ schoolrooms in use today have high short-term radon levels 6

State Department of Education (SDE) Statute Pertaining to evaluation of IAQ CT General Statute Section (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. 7

Radon Entry into Schools The following factors influence radon levels:  the concentration of radon in the soil gas and the permeability of the soil under the school  the structure and construction of the building  the type, operation, and maintenance of the HVAC system 8

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. 9

Recommended Radon Test Devices Short Term Tests - 2 to 7 day testing period - Activated Charcoal Devices most commonly used in testing schools 10

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. 11

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Initial Approach to Testing in Schools: School Facility Mgr 1.Provide a small floor-plan map for use by the radon measurement professional and discuss school structure and dynamics. * Is the school under any kind of renovation or is it planned for the near future? 2. Be sure to use proper protocols regarding communication with students, parents, and staff. 3.Conduct a walk through inspection with the radon measurement professional to help determine testing areas * Note which school rooms are larger than 2000 sq. ft. 14

Initial Approach to Testing in Schools: School Administration 1.Conduct an informational meeting with representatives of parent and teacher organizations to provide a testing overview to address any concerns/questions. *The radon professional should attend… 2.Call the DPH Radon Program to obtain Radon in Schools pamphlets for distribution to parents and electronic version for staff 3.Send out a letter with educational materials two weeks prior to the testing event informing students, staff, and parents of the scheduled radon testing 15

Testing Conditions Test occupied buildings: Under closed building conditions – 12 hours prior to the test and during the test period (72 hrs.) During the coldest months of the year – (Nov 1 thru March 31) During weekdays - HVAC systems operating normally 16

Test Locations Test: All frequently occupied rooms in contact with the ground (Initial testing) Classrooms, offices, laboratories, cafeterias, libraries, gymnasiums Do NOT Test: Rest rooms, locker rooms, hallways, stairwells, elevator shafts, utility closets, storage closets 17

Do NOT Test: During school breaks (students are not present)  Election Day  Teacher Conference Days During unusual weather conditions  Periods of unusually high winds During structural changes or renovations to the school building  HVAC system modifications/upgrades 18

Test Device Placement Away from any drafts, vents, or appliances 20 inches above the floor 3 feet away from walls 3 feet away from any windows or doors Out of direct sunlight Where they are least likely to be disturbed 1 device every 2,000 sq. ft. for larger spaces Note: Place test device on top of warning sheet A good place is usually on the teacher’s desk… 19

Do not test if, in the near future: The HVAC system is scheduled to be replaced Your school building is scheduled to be demolished or the school will be closing & the students will be moving to another school building 20

Quality Assurance Measurements Ensure that results are reliable Should accompany initial and follow-up measurements Refers to maintaining minimum acceptable standards of precision, accuracy, and bias in the school testing program Involves the use of duplicate, blank, and spiked radon detectors 21

Test Devices Retrieval Radon measurement professional will:  retrieve each device and record testing information from all locations, one at a time  complete their tracking sheets  note if devices appear to have been tampered with or if windows are found open  make copies of the tracking sheets to keep as a record of the testing event and highlight QA devices-you should keep a copy too! 22

Test Device Shipment Package all devices neatly and securely Mail devices to the lab immediately after retrieval or the next morning at the latest (overnight or 2 day service is preferred) Each shipment of devices shall contain a copy of the tracking sheet(s) 23

Initial Test Results Radon Professional shall… Provide a summary of initial test results to the school administration Check that QA/QC samples were acceptable. If results are questionable, they will investigate further. Plan to conduct follow-up testing in rooms with results at or above 4.0 pCi/L School Administration shall… If the initial test results are over 20 pCi/L, parents and staff are notified ASAP, but no later than one week after results have been received. 24

Measurement Strategy for Follow- Up 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. 25

Final Interpretation of Test Results Radon Professional - Provide a complete report of results and interpretations to school administration School Administration - Take action to reduce radon levels if the average of the initial and follow-up measurement is 4.0 pCi/L or more - Hire a radon mitigation professional certified by NRPP/NRSB to reduce elevated radon levels (Visit for an up-to-date list) 26

Completion and Reporting Radon Professional Completes the CT DPH Initial or Re- evaluation School Radon Testing Report Form Provides the CT DPH Report form and test results with report to the school. School Administration 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 – Provide it to the radon professionals prior to the 5 year re-evaluation 27

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5 Year Re-Evaluation of Radon School rooms with radon mitigation systems require re- evaluation of the mitigated rooms every 2 years. – 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. – 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! 29

Radon Reduction-Mitigation Active Sub-slab Depressurization 30

Radon Mitigation Cost Can be submitted for reimbursement to SDE Is considered a code compliance violation Must exceed $10,000 – Approximate cost of three (3) systems 31

Radon Resistant New Construction CT General Statute (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…” 32

RRNC in Schools-SDE 33

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Radon Potential Map of CT 35 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? 41