RMC-ASHI Presentation 2/24/2015 Chrystine Kelley Radon Program Manager Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment

Sources of Radiation Exposure

“Radon Is A Serious National Health Problem” n American Lung Association n American Medical Association n Environmental Protection Agency n National Academy of Sciences n National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurement n U.S. Surgeon General n World Health Organization, and others…..

How Does Radon Rank As A Cancer Causing Agent? n Radon is ranked as a Group A carcinogen l Highest ranking for cancer potential l Known to cause cancer in humans l Tobacco smoke and tobacco products in same category International Agency for Research on Cancer

Comparing Radon Related Cancer to Other Cancer Types Annual U.S. Cancer Deaths Lung Cancer (radon) Liver Cancer Brain Cancer Stomach Cancer Melanoma Oral Cancer Gallbladder Cancer Bone Cancer

Estimated Deaths Per Year

Data Summary 168,191 Tests Conducted 79,404 ≥ 4 PCi/L (47.2%) 26,901 ≥ 10 PCi/L (16.0%) 7,526 ≥ 20 PCi/L (4.5%) 336 ≥ 100 PCi/L (0.2%) The average radon test result in Colorado is 6.34 pCi/L and ranges from 0 to !

1 ( > 4 pCi/L ) 2 (2 – 4 pCi/L) 3 (< 2 pCi/L) Old School EPA Radon Zones Map 1993

Updated CDPHE Radon Potential Map 2013

EPA SIRG Grant Distribution  Local Health Departments  Extension Agencies  Public Health Nurses  Municipalities  Private Entities  Weatherization Programs  Non-Profits What do I do?

SIRG Projects  Public Outreach/Education Activities  County Fairs, Health Fairs, Home and Garden Shows, local organizations, new letters, media events, schools, realtors, building depts., city/county governments….  Well Water Testing  Webinars for Builders/Architects/Layman  Webinars for Realtors  Webinars for Physicians  Teacher Training  Low Income testing and mitigation  Weatherization studies  Psychological study  Media Campaigns  RRNC outreach

What’s the best way to protect the public? Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC)

Cities/Counties Adopted Appendix F – 26! Aspen Ft Collins (also required in multi-family homes) Archuleta County- rescinded Huerfano County Las Animas County Boulder County Sterling Logan County Hinsdale County Golden Trinidad LaVeta Longmont Walsenburg Pitkin County Gunnison Ridgway Vail Lakewood Eagle County Superior Frisco Summit County Breckenridge Dillon Silverthorne

Website Information –

Publications/Resources

PSA’s

Real Estate Transactions

Radon Measurement & Mitigation Standards n Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) n American National Standards Institute (ANSI) n American Association of Radon Scientist and Technologists (AARST) n ANSI-AARST n American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

ASTM

Inspecting Radon Mitgation Systems n Courses n Permits n Checklists n Obvious Issues l Dangerous Wiring l Firecollars l Backdraft issues l Sloppy Installation

Questions? Chrystine Kelley Radon Program Manager Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment Radon Hotline