RMC-ASHI PresentationRMC-ASHI Presentation2/24/20152/24/2015

Chrystine KelleyChrystine KelleyRadon Program ManagerRadon Program Manager

Colorado Department of Public Colorado Department of Public Health & EnvironmentHealth & Environment

Sources of Radiation Exposure

““Radon Is A Serious Radon Is A Serious National Health Problem”National Health Problem”

““Radon Is A Serious Radon Is A Serious National Health Problem”National Health Problem”

American Lung AssociationAmerican Lung Association American Medical AssociationAmerican Medical Association Environmental Protection AgencyEnvironmental Protection Agency National Academy of SciencesNational Academy of Sciences National Council on Radiation Protection National Council on Radiation Protection

and Measurementand Measurement U.S. Surgeon GeneralU.S. Surgeon General World Health Organization, and others…..World Health Organization, and others…..

How Does Radon Rank As A How Does Radon Rank As A Cancer Causing Agent?Cancer Causing Agent?

Radon is ranked as a Group A carcinogen Radon is ranked as a Group A carcinogen

Highest ranking for cancer potentialHighest ranking for cancer potential

Known to cause cancer in humansKnown to cause cancer in humans

Tobacco smoke and tobacco products in Tobacco smoke and tobacco products in

same categorysame category

International Agency for Research on Cancer International Agency for Research on Cancer

Comparing Radon Related Comparing Radon Related Cancer to Other Cancer TypesCancer to Other Cancer Types

02000400060008000

100001200014000160001800020000

An

nu

al U

.S. C

an

cer

De

ath

s

Lung Cancer (radon)

Liver Cancer

Brain Cancer

Stomach Cancer

Melanoma

Oral Cancer

Gallbladder Cancer

Bone Cancer

* Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year, according to EPA's 2003 Assessment of Risks from Radon in Homes (EPA 402-R-03-003). The numbers of deaths from other causes are taken from the Centers for Disease Control and

ESTIMATED DEATHS PER YEAR

21,000

17,400

8,000

3,9002,800

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

RADON* DrunkDriving

Falls in theHome

Drownings Home Fires

Estimated Deaths Per Year

2005-2013 Data Summary• 168,191 Tests Conducted

• 79,404 ≥ 4 PCi/L (47.2%)

• 26,901 ≥ 10 PCi/L (16.0%)

• 7,526 ≥ 20 PCi/L (4.5%)

• 336 ≥ 100 PCi/L (0.2%)

The average radon test result in Colorado is 6.34 pCi/L and ranges from 0 to 4277.7!

1 (> 4 pCi/L) 2 (2 – 4 pCi/L)

3 (< 2 pCi/L)

Old School EPA Radon Zones Map 1993Old School EPA Radon Zones Map 1993

Updated CDPHE Radon Potential Map 2013

EPA SIRG Grant Distribution

Local Health DepartmentsExtension AgenciesPublic Health NursesMunicipalitiesPrivate EntitiesWeatherization ProgramsNon-Profits

What do I do?

SIRG ProjectsSIRG Projects

Public Outreach/Education Activities County Fairs, Health Fairs, Home and Garden Shows,

local organizations, new letters, media events, schools, realtors, building depts., city/county governments….

Well Water Testing Webinars for Builders/Architects/Layman Webinars for Realtors Webinars for Physicians Teacher Training Low Income testing and mitigation Weatherization studies Psychological study Media Campaigns RRNC outreach

What’s the best way to protect the public?What’s the best way to protect the public?

Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC)

Cities/Counties Adopted Appendix F – 26!

• Aspen

• Ft Collins (also required in multi-family homes)

• Archuleta County- rescinded

• Huerfano County

• Las Animas County

• Boulder County

• Sterling

• Logan County

• Hinsdale County

• Golden

• Trinidad

• LaVeta

• Longmont

• Walsenburg

• Pitkin County

• Gunnison

• Ridgway

• Vail

• Lakewood

• Eagle County

• Superior

• Frisco

• Summit County

• Breckenridge

• Dillon

• Silverthorne

Website Information – Website Information – www.coloradoradon.infowww.coloradoradon.info

Publications/ResourcesPublications/Resources

PSA’sPSA’s

Real Estate TransactionsReal Estate Transactions

Radon Measurement & Radon Measurement & Mitigation StandardsMitigation Standards

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) American National Standards Institute American National Standards Institute

(ANSI)(ANSI) American Association of Radon Scientist American Association of Radon Scientist

and Technologists (AARST)and Technologists (AARST) ANSI-AARSTANSI-AARST American Society for Testing and Materials American Society for Testing and Materials

(ASTM)(ASTM)

http://www.aarst.org/bookstore.shtml

ASTM 2121-12

Inspecting Radon Mitgation Inspecting Radon Mitgation SystemsSystems

CoursesCourses PermitsPermits ChecklistsChecklists Obvious IssuesObvious Issues

Dangerous WiringDangerous Wiring FirecollarsFirecollars Backdraft issuesBackdraft issues Sloppy InstallationSloppy Installation

Questions?Questions?

Chrystine KelleyRadon Program Manager

Colorado Department of PublicHealth & Environment

303-692-3442

chrys.kelley@state.co.us

Radon Hotline 1-800-846-3986

www.coloradoradon.info