Radon At Tahoe by Jeff Miner For the Tahoe Area Sierra Club February 18, 2010.

Radon At TahoeRadon At Tahoe

by Jeff Minerby Jeff Miner

For the Tahoe Area Sierra ClubFor the Tahoe Area Sierra ClubFebruary 18, 2010 February 18, 2010

Radon at Lake Tahoe Radon at Lake Tahoe

The ProblemThe ProblemThe SolutionThe SolutionWhy We Ignore RadonWhy We Ignore RadonAction We Could TakeAction We Could Take

An OverviewAn Overview


For 24 years I had high levels of For 24 years I had high levels of radon gas in my house, and I did radon gas in my house, and I did not know it.not know it. When I tested my When I tested my house and understood the problem, I house and understood the problem, I was able to fix it myself. This web was able to fix it myself. This web page is dedicated to people like page is dedicated to people like myself who want to know if they myself who want to know if they have a radon problem and want to have a radon problem and want to get it fixed. get it fixed.

Do It Yourself ManualDo It Yourself Manual

Continuous Electronic Radon Continuous Electronic Radon TesterTester

Radon MovementRadon Movement

EPAEPACaliforniaCaliforniaRadonRadonMapMap

EPAEPANevada Nevada Radon Radon MapMap

Radon does not stop at Radon does not stop at bordersborders

Four StudiesFour Studies

1989 - California Radon Survey1989 - California Radon Survey1991 - Nevada Radon Survey1991 - Nevada Radon Survey2007 - Tahoe Radon Survey2007 - Tahoe Radon Survey2009 - CGS Tahoe Radon 2009 - CGS Tahoe Radon

Potential Potential

But very little actionBut very little action

California DHS statewide California DHS statewide radon study 1988-89radon study 1988-89

““The The Sierra Nevada regionSierra Nevada region was was significantly highersignificantly higher than other than other areas….” areas….”

Estimated that Estimated that 11-45%11-45% of homes are of homes are above the U.S. EPA action level.above the U.S. EPA action level.

Only 1% of homes in California have Only 1% of homes in California have elevated radon, low radon state.elevated radon, low radon state.

Sierra Nevada are a low populated regionSierra Nevada are a low populated region Conclusion: We are not a priority, so no Conclusion: We are not a priority, so no

action taken for last 20 years.action taken for last 20 years.

NevadaNevada1991 Radon 1991 Radon SurveySurvey

10%10% of Nevada of Nevada homes have homes have elevated radonelevated radon

But Zephyr Cove: But Zephyr Cove: 69%* 69%* of homes have of homes have elevated radonelevated radon

No action taken to alert No action taken to alert Zephyr Cove residents.Zephyr Cove residents.

Nevada Radon program Nevada Radon program recently taken over by recently taken over by University of Nevada, University of Nevada, Reno Cooperative Reno Cooperative ExtensionExtension

* The highest in the state!* The highest in the state!

2007 - Tahoe Radon 2007 - Tahoe Radon Survey Survey

California Dept. of Public Health sent California Dept. of Public Health sent 7,700 letters to Tahoe Area residents in :7,700 letters to Tahoe Area residents in :• El Dorado CountyEl Dorado County• Placer CountyPlacer County• Nevada CountyNevada County

Over 1,400 tests were received backOver 1,400 tests were received back Results showed that over Results showed that over 35%35% of homes of homes

in the Sierra Nevada and in the Sierra Nevada and 39%39% of homes of homes in South Lake Tahoe have elevated in South Lake Tahoe have elevated radon. radon.

Current Radon Tests Current Radon Tests ResultsResults

After 2007 Tahoe Radon SurveyAfter 2007 Tahoe Radon Survey

2007 - Tahoe Radon 2007 - Tahoe Radon SurveySurvey

2009 California Geological 2009 California Geological SurveySurvey

Tahoe Radon Potential Tahoe Radon Potential

Let’s Review:Let’s Review:Is Radon a Problem at Is Radon a Problem at

Tahoe?Tahoe? Radon causes lung cancer. 2Radon causes lung cancer. 2ndnd only to only to

cigarette smoke. 21,000 deaths a year from cigarette smoke. 21,000 deaths a year from radon.radon.

Granite is high in Uranium, Radium, RadonGranite is high in Uranium, Radium, Radon Tahoe has plenty of granite. Sierra batholith.Tahoe has plenty of granite. Sierra batholith. 90% of South Tahoe homes are in high radon 90% of South Tahoe homes are in high radon

geology areas. Actual tests so far 39% test geology areas. Actual tests so far 39% test high.high.

So, why are we not doing more about it? So, why are we not doing more about it? Answer: Politics and Psychology. Answer: Politics and Psychology.

Radon Ordinance Radon Ordinance Appendix F of IRCAppendix F of IRC

Radon Resistant New ConstructionRadon Resistant New Construction

El Dorado County Part 1El Dorado County Part 12007 Radon Awareness 2007 Radon Awareness

ProgramProgram OBJECTIVES:OBJECTIVES: Develop awareness of radon and its possible health Develop awareness of radon and its possible health

hazardshazards Distribute pamphlets at local grocery stores and post offices Distribute pamphlets at local grocery stores and post offices Public presentations at Board of Realtors, service groups, Public presentations at Board of Realtors, service groups,

special events, etc.special events, etc. Board/City Resolutions to support January as National Board/City Resolutions to support January as National

Radon Action MonthRadon Action Month Radon awareness insert with utility billsRadon awareness insert with utility bills

Encourage community members to seek additional Encourage community members to seek additional information about radon.information about radon.

Public service announcements on local radio Public service announcements on local radio stations/newspaper articlesstations/newspaper articles

Inform community members as to various Inform community members as to various methods/sources for home radon testing.methods/sources for home radon testing.

Display test kits at local lumber and hardware storesDisplay test kits at local lumber and hardware stores


ProgramProgram Encourage community members to test homes Encourage community members to test homes

for radon.for radon. Provide coupons for free test kits (if available Provide coupons for free test kits (if available

from State)from State) Promote State program for $5 test kitsPromote State program for $5 test kits Work with Middle School/High School Science Work with Middle School/High School Science

teachers to do radon project with their students—test teachers to do radon project with their students—test their homes and track resultstheir homes and track results

Inform community members on Radon Inform community members on Radon Reduction MethodsReduction Methods

Send letters to survey participants with radon results Send letters to survey participants with radon results at or above action levelat or above action level

Provide copies of “How to Fix Your Home” Provide copies of “How to Fix Your Home” Consider providing workshop for homeownersConsider providing workshop for homeowners Expand list of State Certified Radon MitigatorsExpand list of State Certified Radon Mitigators


ProgramProgram Encourage builders to include “Radon Resistant New Encourage builders to include “Radon Resistant New

Construction” (RRNC) in the construction of new homes.Construction” (RRNC) in the construction of new homes. Workshop for contractors, architects, engineers on Workshop for contractors, architects, engineers on

methods of RRNCmethods of RRNC Recommend to Development Services the adoption Recommend to Development Services the adoption

of a RRNC code for Tahoe area (similar to of a RRNC code for Tahoe area (similar to Appendix F of the International Residential Code) Appendix F of the International Residential Code)

Consider sending a Building Inspector and an Consider sending a Building Inspector and an Environmental Health Specialist to NEHA Radon Environmental Health Specialist to NEHA Radon certification class.certification class.

Provide copies of “Building Radon Out” at City Provide copies of “Building Radon Out” at City and County Building Departments and TRPAand County Building Departments and TRPA

Encourage radon reduction as part of Green Encourage radon reduction as part of Green BuildingBuilding


ProgramProgram MEASUREMENTS OF SUCCESS:MEASUREMENTS OF SUCCESS: Track the number of tests submitted for testing and their Track the number of tests submitted for testing and their

resultsresults Track the number of homes built with RRNCTrack the number of homes built with RRNC

TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION:TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION: December 2007:December 2007: Web site improvements, letters out to survey participants with Web site improvements, letters out to survey participants with

results at or above action level, school district radon survey results at or above action level, school district radon survey resultsresults

January 2008:January 2008: Radon Awareness Month, resolutionsRadon Awareness Month, resolutions, coupons/ , coupons/ free free

radon tests kitsradon tests kits, public outreach, student projects at schools, public outreach, student projects at schools February 2008:February 2008: Workshops for homeowners/contractorsWorkshops for homeowners/contractors

Real Estate TransactionsReal Estate Transactions

Natural Hazard Natural Hazard Disclosure StatementDisclosure Statement

Required for All Real Estate Sales in CaliforniaRequired for All Real Estate Sales in California

Radon Hazards in El Dorado County are listed Radon Hazards in El Dorado County are listed asas

ModerateModerate

LEED Green Building LEED Green Building

United States Green Building Council’s United States Green Building Council’s

LEED Certification ProgramLEED Certification Program

Does NOT require RRNCDoes NOT require RRNC

(Radon Resistant New Construction) on (Radon Resistant New Construction) on LEED Certified Green Buildings in El LEED Certified Green Buildings in El Dorado, Placer or Nevada Counties Dorado, Placer or Nevada Counties

(moderate radon counties)(moderate radon counties)

What Could The County What Could The County Do?Do?

Test county buildings at Tahoe Test county buildings at Tahoe

Train contractors and builders in RRNC Train contractors and builders in RRNC

Move forward to complete the items on Move forward to complete the items on the Radon Awareness Program list the Radon Awareness Program list

Develop a program to work and Develop a program to work and collaborate with local citizens, myself collaborate with local citizens, myself included included

Expand the EMD web site to include Expand the EMD web site to include local statistics and maps local statistics and maps

What Could the County What Could the County Do?Do?

Support efforts to get the LEED green building Support efforts to get the LEED green building certification program to recognize Tahoe as a certification program to recognize Tahoe as a High, not Moderate radon potential area High, not Moderate radon potential area

Support efforts to get the Real Estate Hazard Support efforts to get the Real Estate Hazard Disclosure Report to use current radon maps, not Disclosure Report to use current radon maps, not the old EPA Radon Map which still shows Tahoe as the old EPA Radon Map which still shows Tahoe as a Moderate radon risk area a Moderate radon risk area

The above item would really increase the awareness The above item would really increase the awareness of the actual radon potential of this area, as of the actual radon potential of this area, as reported in the CGS Radon Potential Report, since reported in the CGS Radon Potential Report, since every real estate transaction in California is every real estate transaction in California is required to have the hazard report and currently it required to have the hazard report and currently it is misleading. is misleading.

What Action To Take?What Action To Take?

Moral: Don’t wait for government to actMoral: Don’t wait for government to act

Test your own homeTest your own home

Reasons people test.Reasons people test.

Reasons people don’t test.Reasons people don’t test.

Time for Questions.Time for Questions.

Newborn Radon Newborn Radon ProgramProgram

Radon Tee World TrekRadon Tee World Trek

Building Building Radon OutRadon Out

Radon Ready New Construction – RRNC On Slab Foundation

Crawl Space Foundation

Mitigation

Slab FoundationSlab Foundation

MitigationMitigation

Pipe Runs under barrier Pipe Runs under barrier cloth and out through air cloth and out through air

ventvent

Fan and vent pipe on Fan and vent pipe on outsideoutside

ElectricityElectricity110 volt or 12 volt110 volt or 12 volt

Certified Radon Mitigators Certified Radon Mitigators in Californiain California

California Certified Radon California Certified Radon TestersTesters

LEED for Homes Indoor Air LEED for Homes Indoor Air QualityQuality

Not a priority so not taken seriously by Not a priority so not taken seriously by buildersbuilders

TrainingTraining

Hear NothingSee NothingDo Nothing

Radon and BusinessRadon and Business

Radon Ordinances and Building Radon Ordinances and Building CodesCodes

Large Problem yet UnrealizedLarge Problem yet Unrealized No Competition but also Not Much No Competition but also Not Much

BusinessBusiness Good Seasonal Job for ContractorGood Seasonal Job for Contractor Concept of the “Tipping Point”Concept of the “Tipping Point” Easy to get trained and certifiedEasy to get trained and certified

International Building International Building CodeCode

El Dorado County Leaves Radon Out of Community Update

2005 to Present

Radon in the NewsRadon in the News

Cancer Survivors Against Cancer Survivors Against Radon Radon Cansar.orgCansar.org

Radon and Real Estate Radon and Real Estate SalesSales

U.S. Forest Service U.S. Forest Service BuildingBuilding

High in Radon 20 – 60 pCi/LHigh in Radon 20 – 60 pCi/L

Radon Often Ignored by Radon Often Ignored by BuildersBuilders

Even “Green” BuildersEven “Green” Builders Not in building code – no radon ordinanceNot in building code – no radon ordinance LEED – Radon is low priority. Only 1 point.LEED – Radon is low priority. Only 1 point. LEED for Homes - Required only for High LEED for Homes - Required only for High

radon counties on old EPA map. Not radon counties on old EPA map. Not accurate.accurate.

Commercial Building - Not requiredCommercial Building - Not required Schools – Not requiredSchools – Not required Government Buildings – Not requiredGovernment Buildings – Not required Non-LEED homes – Not requiredNon-LEED homes – Not required

What’s Next?What’s Next?

Where there’s a will, there’s a wayWhere there’s a will, there’s a way First education, then motivation, then First education, then motivation, then

actionaction Start with your own home, test it.Start with your own home, test it. New projects should address radon – New projects should address radon –

new school building, etc.new school building, etc. Government should test their buildingsGovernment should test their buildings ““Green” builders should be held to a Green” builders should be held to a

higher standard.higher standard.

I Need Your HelpI Need Your Help

Join me in raising radon awarenessJoin me in raising radon awareness Get your own house testedGet your own house tested Tell your friendsTell your friends Bring radon up at Tahoe Business Bring radon up at Tahoe Business

GatheringsGatherings Your ideas and participationYour ideas and participation

With your help With your help radon induced lung radon induced lung

cancer cancer can be avoidedcan be avoided

Thank YouThank YouJeff MinerJeff Miner


Radon At Tahoe by Jeff Miner For the Tahoe Area Sierra Club February 18, 2010.

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Transcript of Radon At Tahoe by Jeff Miner For the Tahoe Area Sierra Club February 18, 2010.