Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 2149
6 of 9
5. Challenges and Policy Recommendations
One of the biggest challenges related to radon exposure is the cost of testing and mitigation.
If conducted by licensed professionals, which is required in several states, testing could cost $20–$50
per room, and the sub-slab depressurization, the most common type of radon mitigation system,
could cost between $2000 to $5000, depending on characteristics of the building and the underlying
soil [32]. This could pose a substantial burden for some schools, school districts, and/or state
agencies that already are struggling to meet other mandatory regulations and maintain their financial
sustainability. In California, for example, there is no state funding specifically set aside to help school
districts pay for testing [33]. One of the approaches to reduce radon testing costs to the school could
be allowing school employees to take a one-day radon test training and be exempt from certification
requirements; alternately, after training, school employees in the same district could jointly form a
radon testing team, therefore schools could conduct initial testing on their own. When initial tests
results raise an alarm, the certified professionals would then be called in for a follow up testing, as has
been done in New Jersey and Illinois (Table 1).
In addition, each state should establish a designated Fund as a non-lapsing supplement to support
radon testing, educational, and mitigation. For example, in Indiana (Radon Gas Trust Fund) and Maine
(Radon Relief Fund), statutes allow the States to collect funds received from registrations of radon
testing and mitigation companies/professionals, as well as any other miscellaneous sources of income
to be used for a radon related program.
6. Conclusions
The danger to children attending schools with high levels of radon is particularly noteworthy
because such children would be exposed repeatedly over many years. They would also be exposed
during a biologically susceptible time of life and would subsequently have many years during which
cancer may develop and have a clinical impact (a long ”latency” periods). To date, however, the issue
of radon in schools has received little attention by researchers and the media. There is currently no
enforceable Federal limit for radon levels in schools, which has led to disparate state regulations
related to the testing, mitigation, and public dissemination of radon levels, as well as the appropriation
of state funds when mitigation is needed.
From a public health perspective, radon reduction is a long-term objective. Widespread awareness
among the general population about the risk associated with radon is essential [34]. It is also critical
to improve the data collection system in each state to make data more accessible to advocates for
radon testing, to societal stakeholders, and to the general public [24,35]. The improvements in
data collection and availability will be valuable for future campaigns and for determining where
collaborative efforts are most needed [35]. Measuring and mitigating radon at schools should be based
on ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable), the precautionary principle to minimize radiation
doses and releases of radioactive materials with using practical, cost-effective measures [4,36,37].
Therefore, we recommend that a federally mandated maximum radon limit be established for schools
and other buildings with public access, as should guidelines regarding the timeframe for initial
testing and the frequency of re-testing for radon. States may then work with the USEPA to develop
a state-specific radon testing plans based on the risk related to the specific geographic locations of
the schools. The USEPA may also offer standardized online radon testing training courses and materials
for school employees to reduce state costs and improve the consistency, accuracy, and reproducibility
of the test results.
Author Contributions: K.G., X.L., T.H., P.D.T. and J.C. conceived the original idea and wrote the manuscript. D.V.
provided guidelines to search state statutes and regulations on radon policy and contributed to the final manuscript.
B.Y. provided critical feedback and helped shape the final manuscript. P.D.T. and J.C. supervised the work.
Funding: The University Libraries and the Office of Research and Engagement co-sponsored the fund for APC.