Radon Sampling

Radon Facts

radioactive gas formed in the ground from the radioactive gas formed in the ground from the decay of uraniumdecay of uranium

radon is the number one environmental hazard radon is the number one environmental hazard radon is found all over the planet radon is found all over the planet

can build up to high concentrations in some can build up to high concentrations in some buildingsbuildings

gas drawn inside by small pressure differencesgas drawn inside by small pressure differences only way to know what the radon levels are is only way to know what the radon levels are is

to measure to measure

Radon Facts cancer of the lung is health hazard of cancer of the lung is health hazard of

radonradon high levels of radon have been shown to high levels of radon have been shown to

give the lungs enough radiation increase give the lungs enough radiation increase the risk of lung cancerthe risk of lung cancer

radon is the number two cause of lung radon is the number two cause of lung cancer in the world cancer in the world

typical house can be fixed in one daytypical house can be fixed in one day

Radon Sampling Two general ways to test for RadonTwo general ways to test for Radon

SHORT-TERM TESTINGSHORT-TERM TESTING

two days to 90 daystwo days to 90 days Charcoal canisters, alpha track, electret ion chamber, Charcoal canisters, alpha track, electret ion chamber,

continuous monitors, and charcoal liquid scintillation continuous monitors, and charcoal liquid scintillation detectors are most commondetectors are most common

radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season season

• short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to reveal year-round average radon level reveal year-round average radon level

• short-term test followed by a second short-term test short-term test followed by a second short-term test may be used may be used

Radon Sampling

LONG-TERM TESTINGLONG-TERM TESTING more than 90 daysmore than 90 days

Alpha track and electret detectors are Alpha track and electret detectors are commonly used commonly used

Long-term test will give reading that is more Long-term test will give reading that is more likely to tell year-round average radon level likely to tell year-round average radon level

Radon Sampling EPA Recommends the Following Testing StepsEPA Recommends the Following Testing Steps

Take a short-term test. If your result is 4 pCi/L or higher (0.02 Working Levels [WL] Take a short-term test. If your result is 4 pCi/L or higher (0.02 Working Levels [WL] or higher) take a follow-up test (Step 2) to be sure.or higher) take a follow-up test (Step 2) to be sure.

Follow up with either a long-term test or a second short-term test. For a better Follow up with either a long-term test or a second short-term test. For a better understanding of your year-round average radon level, take a long-term test. If you understanding of your year-round average radon level, take a long-term test. If you need results quickly, take a second short-term test. The higher your initial short-term need results quickly, take a second short-term test. The higher your initial short-term test result, the more certain you can be that you should take a short-term rather than a test result, the more certain you can be that you should take a short-term rather than a long-term follow up test. If your first short-term test result is several times the action long-term follow up test. If your first short-term test result is several times the action level - for example, about 10 pCi/L or higher - you should take a second short-term level - for example, about 10 pCi/L or higher - you should take a second short-term test immediatelytest immediately

If you followed up with a long-term test: Fix your home if your long-term test result If you followed up with a long-term test: Fix your home if your long-term test result is 4 pCi/L or more (0.02 Working Levels [WL] or higher). If you followed up with a is 4 pCi/L or more (0.02 Working Levels [WL] or higher). If you followed up with a seconds short-term test: The higher your short-term results, the more certain you can seconds short-term test: The higher your short-term results, the more certain you can be that you should fix your home. Consider fixing your home if the average of your be that you should fix your home. Consider fixing your home if the average of your first and second test is 4 pCi/L or higher (0.02 Working Levels [WL] or higher).first and second test is 4 pCi/L or higher (0.02 Working Levels [WL] or higher).

EPA Approved Radon Sampling

Continuous monitorsContinuous monitors Scintillation cellsScintillation cells

3-5 day integrating charcoal canisters3-5 day integrating charcoal canisters Alpha-track detectorsAlpha-track detectors Grab-sample Scintillation cellsGrab-sample Scintillation cells Passive Radon badgesPassive Radon badges

References Cited

http://www.remradon.com/http://www.remradon.com/ Accessed 05/02/01 Accessed 05/02/01http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/REMRahttp://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/REMRadon/bobs.don/bobs.

htmhtm Accessed 05/02/01 Accessed 05/02/01http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs/devprot1.htmlhttp://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/pubs/devprot1.html

Accessed 05/02/01Accessed 05/02/01NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM®), NIOSH Manual of Analytical Methods (NMAM®),

4th ed.4th ed.DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 94-113 (August, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication 94-113 (August, 1994),1994),Cassinelli, M.E. & Cassinelli, M.E. & O'Connor, P.F. (pfo1@O'Connor, P.F. (pfo1@cdccdc..govgov)), Eds., Eds.

Bibliography

DiNardi Salvatore R. (1998) DiNardi Salvatore R. (1998) The The Occupational Environment-Its Evaluation Occupational Environment-Its Evaluation and Controland Control, AIHA, Fairfax, Virginia , AIHA, Fairfax, Virginia

Goetsch David L. (1999) Goetsch David L. (1999) Occupational Occupational Safety and Health for Technologists, Safety and Health for Technologists, Engineers, and ManagersEngineers, and Managers, Prentice Hall, , Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, New Jersey Upper Saddle River, New Jersey