Angell
Colleagues,
Recently, I received a copy of a letter from resident of a recently built home expressing concern to her county health department, building code official, and mayor about elevated indoor radon (over 200 pCi/L), subsequent extremely difficult mitigation process, and the need for radon control requirements in building codes.
I believe the letter offers a very strong testimony to the importance of radon prevention in new construction. The author of the letter has given permission to distribute the correspondence and it follows.
Based upon information found in the residents’ letter, it appears that this family:
• has been needlessly exposed to very high radon for nearly four years,
• had to unnecessarily pay far more for mitigation then it would have cost to install radon control then when the home was built, and
• unfortunately, will face energy penalties with mitigation then they would have if properly installed radon control system had been installed when the home was built.
We must find ways to increase effective radon prevention installed in all new homes. To many of us, adoption of passive radon control in building codes is a partial step to do what we need to do. We must also advocate active (fan driven) radon control installed by certified and/or licensed mitigation professionals and radon test of all new homes.
Comments?
Bill Angell
Director, MURC
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2305 Vista Court
Newark, OH 43055
February 26, 2009
Robert Sealock
Environmental Dept.
675 Price Road
Newark, OH 43055
Dear Mr. Sealock:
I want to tell you of the frustration and risk to our health (in) my husband's and my 2002 home has been to us since moving into it in August 2005. Our house sits on shale and has a radon problem that three different radon system companies and many technicians have worked on to reduce the radon to an acceptable level. It is FINALLY under control as of this month; however, Radon Systems of Westerville, OH spent 24 hours in our basement or around the outside of the house over a period of time and had to install two FR250 fans, the largest available, on our home to accomplish this goal. (It is) (i)mportant to add, (that) the president of the company, Danny West, (received an award from the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists for his leadership on radon control in new homes) and teaches radon classes. Thus we think we used the best company in the area.
I understand it is recommended by the US EPA that in all areas in the United States where radon is a problem to install Radon Resistant New Construction in all new homes. In Columbus, Dublin adopted Appendix F of the International Building Code in 1996 and to date Dublin, Hilliard, Canal Winchester and Pickerington all require RRNC to be installed in
all residential buildings. Furthermore, I have learned since moving to Ohio in 2005 that Licking County is one of the highest areas of the country for elevated radon levels. Unfortunately, builders in the county still build new houses without any radon protection. Has Licking County, for some reason, turned its head to this issue and elected not to enforce Appendix F of the International Residential Building Code? I have been told that the Ohio Department of Health would very much like to work with the Licking County Officials to get this standard implemented. Like my husband and me, Licking County residents are being needlessly exposed to elevated radon levels.
I am sharing with you our experience in the hope that it spurs action wherever it needs to be to require Radon Resistant New Construction in Licking County. I learned that our house registered over 200 pCi/l when the first mitigating system was installed by previous owners. I am happy to say it registers 4 pCi/l and below now. Most of the homes on our court have had to install mitigating systems at a cost by the owners.
Best regards,
Bill and Nancy Clark
CC: Jack Pryor, Building Code Dept.
CC: Robert Diebold, Mayor Newark
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