By Margaret Henderson
Minnesotans, due to their state’s geology and the fact that most Minnesota homes are built with basements which are used as living space and are where radon concentrations are generally highest, have a potential for a relatively high risk of radon exposure. Approximately 40% of radon tests of homes resulted in levels greater than 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA recommended action level for mitigation. And 80% of Minnesota counties are in a “high” radon zone.
The Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit receives funds from the EPA’s
State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG) for the purpose of protecting the health of the public from the risks of radon related lung cancer.
In a report covering a three-year period from October 1, 2011, to September 30, 2014, the department has released its outcomes, revealing that large numbers of Minnesotans are testing, mitigating elevated radon levels and constructing homes with radon resistant features.
Regarding testing and mitigation outcomes, the department reported that approximately 51,000 short-term and 2,400 long-term radon test results were reported. A total of 6,286 mitigation systems were reported during the three years, which is a 123% increase from the previous three-year project period. Goals for those outcomes were having 10,000 radon tests annually reported to the department and
increasing the number of reported mitigation system installations by 25% each year. In the areas of testing and mitigating, outcomes exceeded set goals. Note that mitigation numbers for the period in 2014 are likely higher than reported due to the time of printing of the report before all reports were received.
Reporting on low and moderate income housing projects, the department noted that 438 low and moderate income homes were tested, and of those 50 of the homes reported levels over 4.0 pCi/L. (All homes that tested high were mitigated using partner funding.) The goal for this period was testing and mitigating nine low income homes.
Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC) homes built during the period totaled 27,815 new homes, well exceeding the goal of having at least 5,000 new homes built with RRNC each year.
For further information on these and other outcomes during the grant period, contact:
Dan Tranter, M.P.H.
Supervisor
Indoor Air Unit
P.O. Box 64975
St. Paul, MN 55164
Office: (651) 201-4618
Mobile: (651) 331-6548
Fax: (651) 201-4606
Web: www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/air
Radon: http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/index.html
Source:
Minnesota Department of Health
Indoor Environments & Radiation Section
Indoor Air Unity State Indoor Radon Grant 22-24 Final Report, October 1, 2011- September 30, 2014
http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/sirgreport12014.pdf
United States