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

CSBGA Meeting

May 20, 2015

Lynn Hudak

CT DPH Radon Program

Radon Testing in Connecticut Schools

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Agenda

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

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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

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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- 2 to 7 day testing period

- Activated Charcoal Devices most commonly used in testing schools

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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:

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

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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 closets17

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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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!

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Radon Reduction-MitigationActive Sub-slab Depressurization

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Radon Mitigation Cost

Can be submitted for reimbursement to SDEIs considered a code compliance violationMust exceed $10,000

– Approximate cost of three (3) systems

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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

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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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