radon 101 & testing
DESCRIPTION
Radon 101 & Testing. Twa-le Abrahamson-Swan Spokane Tribal Air Quality Department 509-626-4403 [email protected]. www.epa.gov/radon. Superfund Site: Midnite Uranium Mine. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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Radon 101 & Testing
Twa-le Abrahamson-SwanSpokane Tribal Air Quality Department
509-626-4403 [email protected]
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www.epa.gov/radon
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Superfund Site: Midnite Uranium MineContaminants: radionuclides and heavy metals
in acid mine drainage, radioactive decay, and particulate transport in air, surface water, and groundwater.
In as soon as two years, millions of tons of contaminated material will be moved using heavy equipment. A new water treatment plant will be built. Remediation is expected to take 8 to 10 years.
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https://fortress.wa.gov/doh/wtn/WTNPortal/IndicatorPages/RadSmokeLC.aspx
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What Is Radon –222 (radon)?Radon is a gas
It is naturally occurring
You can not see or smell it
It enters buildings from the soil beneath them
Uranium
Radium
Radon
1,600 years
4.5 billion years
3.8 days
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Things to know about radonNaturally occurring GasUndetectable by human senses
◦ Colorless, Odorless, TastelessRadioactive Does not chemically reactNo static electrical charge. Will not
adhere to other atoms or surfaces.
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Average Contributions From Radon Sources In U.S. Homes
The movement of soil gas into a home is the predominant entry route.
These are averages - a particular home can be different!
Water< 1%
Soil Gas85 - 90%
Diffusion1 - 4%
Emanation2 - 5%
Radium Containing SoilRadium Containing Soil
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Radon Gas Spatial Distribution
Radon enters from beneath foundation and travels upward. ◦ Diluted with outdoor air
infiltrating buildingIf radon is less than 4
pCi/L in lower level, one can say with reasonable confidence that upper floors are also less than 4 pCi/L.
10
< 5
5-6
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Radon sourcesSources Curies Per Year
Emanation: Soil 2,000,000,000Ground Water 500,000,000Emanation: Oceans 30,000,000Phosphate Residues 3,000,000Uranium Tailings Piles 2,000,000Coal Residues 20,000Natural Gas 10,000Coal Combustion 900Human Exhalation 10
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Why are we concerned about radon?
Radon is a known carcinogen, in the highest ranking category with tobacco products
U.S. SURGEON GENERAL HEALTH ADVISORY
“Indoor radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and breathing it over prolonged periods can present a significant health risk to families all over the country. It’s important to know that this threat is completely preventable. Radon can be detected with a simple test and fixed through well-established venting techniques.” – January 2005
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Why Is Radon A Concern?
Radon decays into radioactive particles known as radon decay products.
These particles are easily inhaled and deposited in the lungs where they can damage sensitive lung tissue.
Radon Decay Products
Radon
Radon
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What happens when radon is inhaled?
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Alpha Decay
4He Nucleus Ejected from 222Rn Nucleus
+2
4He + 218Po
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
Radon - 222
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What Happens When Radon Decay Products Are Inhaled?
Highly radioactive particles adhere to lung tissue, where they can irradiate sensitive cells.
Radiation can alter the cells, increasing the potential for cancer.
Double Strand Breaks
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Radon Progeny
218Po and 214Po deliver the radiologically significant dose to the respiratory epithelium.Lead-210
Polonium-214
Bismuth-214
Lead-214
Polonium-218
Radon-222
b,g
,g
,g
,g
b,g
Lead-206
Polonium-210
Bismuth-210b,g
,g
b,g22 yrs
4 day3 min
27 min20 min0.2 ms
5 day
138 dayStable
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EPA & Surgeon General Recommend
Take action if a home is at or above 4.0 pCi/L
(year long average)
4.0 pCi/L EPA ACTION LEVELAverage indoor: 1.3 – 1.4 pCi/L
Average outdoor: 0.4 pCi/L
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Testing for RadonInitial short-term test (2-7 days)
◦Closed house conditionsOne testing devicePlace in lowest lived in part of
house, ideally bedroom, living room and most frequently occupied rooms
Not a closet, bathroom, kitchen, storeroom, garage, crawlspace, attic.
Follow-up test if results are ≥ 4 pCi/L
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Purpose of Test Determines Location
Lowest lived inLowest suitable for
Occupancy w/o Renovation
NO
YES
YES
• Test in livable room.
• Keep away from drafts and moisture.
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Radon Measurement DevicesActivated charcoal deviceElectret Ion ChamberContinuous Radon Monitor
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Activated Charcoal DevicesMeasures radonUsed by professionals and
homeownersDifferent devices have different
optimal deployment periods.Requires no power to operate.In small container (paper, metal or
plastic) containing activated charcoal.Can only be read in the lab, not in the
field.
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Activated Charcoal Device ExamplesFor short-term testsMust be analyzed within 6 days
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Activated Charcoal Devices
Advantages Disadvantages
Compact, convenient and economical
Can be used for 48-hour test
Can be easily mailed to lab for analysis
Passive, does not require power and silent
Quick and accurate analysis
Limited to short-term sampling
If radon peaks and valleys are dramatic, the results validity is questioned because of a possible bias over the last 12 hours.
Provides no indication of changes in radon during measurement.
Tampering detection difficult.
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Electret Ion Chamber (E-Perm)Short-term and long-term
measurements2 days-1 year, dependent upon:
◦Configuration◦Type of disk used◦Anticipated radon concentration
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Measuring Electret VoltagesElectrets are pre-charged by
manufacturer.Electret voltages are measured
before and after deployment.Reported radon is a function of:
Voltage drop (Approximate 2 volts drop per day per pCi/L)
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Electret Ion Chambers
Advantages Disadvantages
Short-term and long-term measurements
Electret can be re-used until voltage falls below the desired operating voltage for the device used (200 volts)
Can be recharged by manufacturer ($30)
Sensitive to external gamma radiation. Correction needed.
Sensitive to altitude changes. Correction needed.
Can be damaged by touching surface, surface contamination or impact.
Pre/post voltages must be measured at the same temperature.
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Continuous Radon MonitorsSun Nuclear (Solid State Silicon
Detector)◦Impacts from alpha particles are
counted.◦Data plotted and averaged◦Relatively low efficiency◦Provides continuous measurements◦Used for diagnostics
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Continuous Radon Monitors
Advantages Disadvantages
Exposure variable: 48 hrs to many months
Relatively good precision
Can track hourly variations
Options to down load or print on site
Can indicate tampering or ventilation.
Higher pricedRequires trained
operatorAnnual calibrationBi-annual
performance tests.Can only test one
room at a time.
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Results from a CRM
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Do It Yourself Test Kits
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Radon Mitigation Training
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Twa-le [email protected]
(509) 626-4403
April 8, 2014 at the US House Appropriations Committee – testifying on cuts to radon funding and services for Tribes and Environmental Justice Communities.
http://docs.house.gov/meetings/AP/AP06/20140408/101853/HHRG-113-AP06-Wstate-Abrahamson-SwanT-20140408.pdf