EPA Believes 70,000 School Classrooms Have High Levels of Radon

Are schools packed with dangerous radon now?

While you may have heard of radon gas and the health risks it can cause in your home, you might not have realized that high levels of radon pose a serious threat to schools. According to a report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more than 70,000 school classrooms may have dangerously high short-term radon levels. Even worse, only 20 percent of schools nationwide have done any sort of testing for the deadly gas.

The good news is that the percentage is quickly changing. In just the past few months, the state of Oregon has required all of its school districts to test their buildings for radon. This initiative is part of Oregon’s Healthy and Safe Schools Plan, which also includes lead testing and pest control. Hopefully, other states will follow Oregon’s example and start to make radon testing a priority.

All students, teachers, and school employees have the right to a safe, healthy environment. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can get trapped in your lungs when you breathe, causing irrevocable damage to lung tissue over time. With children’s health at risk, the EPA recommends that all schools nationwide conduct radon tests and take any necessary mitigation steps to remove the threat of radon exposure.

What can you do?

In the meantime, parents and concerned citizens can make a difference by discussing radon testing with school officials. Radon is easily mitigated once it is discovered, but since the gas cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted, a radon test is the only way to discover its presence. The naturally occurring gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., so don’t hesitate to ask your school officials about long-term radon monitoring.

National Radon Defense members provide both short-term and long-term radon testing solutions for schools, office buildings, apartments, and homeowners. We also offer comprehensive radon mitigation solutions if high radon levels are found. Radon testing is easy and affordable, so there’s no reason to delay!

Review our website to see some of the clean air solutions we offer and contact your local dealer today to schedule a radon inspection or see what our radon abatement systems can do for you. Clean Act Air, Inc. offers radon testing and mitigation systems to homeowners in Beaverton, Portland, Hillsboro, and surrounding Oregon areas.