Resources
References
• Oregon - Under ORS 332.341 and 332.345 , school districts were required to submit a testing plan for schools to the Oregon Health Authority by September 1 , 2016 . Testing was then required to be complete by January 1 , 2021 . View the Oregon Health Authority website to view the protocol and plan that they created along with resources and communication toolkits .
Resources
The American Rescue Plan and other federal dollars may be available to help schools and school districts plan and implement indoor air quality improvements , including radon testing and mitigation if needed .
Between the COVID Relief & Omnibus Spending Bill passed in December 2020 and the American Rescue Plan passed on March 11 , 2021 , the Federal government has approved $ 176 billion in emergency COVID-19 relief aid for K-12 schools . Facility-related expenditures are among the allowable uses for these funds and are an excellent opportunity to invest in the indoor air quality in schools without impacting school operating budgets . 8 Improved ventilation is recognized to help both in preventing SARS-CoV-2 transmission and in reducing radon exposure . Because indoor radon levels can be affected by changes in ventilation and air movement , it is important to include radon testing and mitigation in any plans for facility upgrades .
The American Lung Association ’ s Indoor Air Quality in Schools Guide outlines the potential opportunities through the Coronavirus Aid , Relief , and Economic Security Act ( CARES Act ) and steps for how to apply for funding .
References
1 . Environmental Protection Agency , Home Buyer ’ s and Seller ’ s Guide to Radon , https :// www . epa . gov / sites / default / files / 2015-05 / documents / hmbuygud . pdf [ accessed 8-22-2022 ]
2 . Environmental Protection Agency , Radon in Schools , https :// www . epa . gov / radon / radon-schools [ accessed 8-22-2022 ]
3 . American Lung Association , Radon Basics , https :// www . lung . org / clean-air / at-home / indoor-air-pollutants / radon [ accessed 9-7-2022 ]
4 . Environmental Protection Agency , What is EPA ’ s Action Level for Radon and What Does it Mean , https :// www . epa . gov / radon / what-epas-action-level-radon-and-what-does-it-mean [ accessed 9-9-2022 ]
5 . Environmental Protection Agency , Managing Radon in Schools : Framework for Effective School IAQ Management , https :// www . epa . gov / iaq-schools / managing-radon-schools # key-drivers [ accessed 9-9-2022 ]
6 . Centers For Disease Control and Prevention Factsheet , Test Your Home For Radon , https :// www . cdc . gov / radon / toolkit / images / fact _ sheet / radon _ fact _ sheet . pdf . pdf [ accessed 11-11-20-2022 ]
7 . Environmental Law Institute , Topics in School Environmental Health : Overview of State Laws , https :// www . eli . org / buildings / topics-school-environmental-health-overview-state-laws [ accessed 11-11-2022 ]
8 . American Lung Association , Indoor Air Quality in Schools Guide , https :// www . lung . org / clean-air / at-school / iaq-guide [ accessed 11-11-2022 ]
This project has been funded wholly or in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under assistance agreement 84021001 to the American Lung Association . The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Environmental Protection Agency .
4 1-800-LUNGUSA | Lung . org
Modified February 28 , 2023-SE v2