Radon Exposure in Public Schools:
Are Your Kids in Danger?
Updated February 21, 2019 | by Grace Chen
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Radon is invisible, but its impact on children can be incredibly dangerous. Learn about the presence of radon in public schools and how to keep your kids safe.
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas naturally found in the environment. It is found in all 50 states, but some states have more of a radon problem than others. Homeowners in
the particularly problematic states are encouraged to test their homes for radon and make necessary adjustments if higher than normal levels of the gas are found. However, during the school year, students and staff spend at least as much time at school as they do at home. Are the schools testing for radon? Let's take a look and see.
The Dangers of Radon
Radon originates in granite deposits located deeply underground. The gas can get into buildings by seeping in through cracks in
the foundation, openings around drains or under basement slabs. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon is
one of the most serious health problems facing our population today. While this gas does not pose immediate health risks the way carbon monoxide does, over time, radon exposure can significantly increase one's risk for lung cancer. In fact, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in this country, right behind cigarette smoke.
Radon gas decays over times, evolving into radioactive particles that can get into lung tissue and cause damage. Over time, this damage can lead to some types of lung cancer. The EPA cites three factors that determine your risk of lung cancer from radon exposure:
• The level of radon you are exposed to
• The duration of your exposure
• Your smoking habits in addition to your
radon exposure
Because radon does not have an odor or taste, there is no way to detect its presence in a building without testing for the gas. The
testing process is relatively easy and inexpensive, and the EPA recommends that all schools across the country conduct radon testing to keep the environments safe for the children and staff that spend their days in the buildings. The protocol for testing includes the following steps:
• Initial, short-term testing to determine
current radon levels within each classroom
in the school
• Follow-up short and long-term testing in
classrooms where levels were unusually high
to monitor improvements and annual
averages of radon levels in those areas
• Action to reduce radon levels in areas where
readings were higher than 4 pCi/L