By Margaret Henderson
Virginia’s varying geology presents conditions conducive for indoor radon concentrations to exceed the EPA’s 4 pCi/L recommended action level across much of the Commonwealth. Sedimentary layers in the far eastern portion of the state, though, minimize radon exposure in that particular area explains Ryan Paris, Radon Program Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Health Indoor Radon Program. Those far eastern counties are designated as Zone 3 Radon Risk areas, where radon levels are generally found to be less than 2pCi/L. However, the remainder of the state is categorized as either Zone 1 (high risk) or Zone 2 (moderate risk). The Appalachian Mountains have been eroding for hundreds of millions of years, forming valleys resulting in radon exposures that have been found to exceed the action level. Bare rock or rock under thin topsoil contributes to the exposures. These and other geologic features of the state divide the central to western areas into bands of alternating Zone 1 and Zone 2 designations. Virginia has 46 counties and 15 cities that are classified as Zone 1 and 24 counties and 8 cities classified as Zone 2. See the map at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/radiologicalhealth/radon/Virginia%20Radon%20Map.htm.
With the potential for radon exposures through most of the state, the Radon Program encourages testing all homes for radon. The Program uses a variety of means to communicate with the public including its website, social media, billboards, presentations and conducting training courses.
The Virginia Department of Health Radon Program website, which receives approximately 4000 views per month, may be found at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/radiologicalhealth/radon/index.htm.
This website provides detailed information about the history of the radon program as well as health risks from radon exposure. The website is also used to communicate specific information through bulletins such as:
- Testing and Mitigation
- Mitigation Discharge Pipes
- Post Mitigation Testing
- Citizens with Complaints Against Radon Professionals
- Tamper Resistance and Other Good Practices for Testers
The most recent bulletin, “Tamper Resistance And Other Good Practices For Radon Testing,” dated August 25, 2015, provides guidance and consumer information developed in response to several complaints received from consumers and certified radon professionals. It is intended for both radon professionals and their customers and it lists several suggested techniques that may help prevent unauthorized tampering with a professional radon test. This information is made widely available to the public using the Program’s website. Social media will also be used from October through May to post monthly messaging on Facebook and through Twitter.
In October 2015, the program will launch a billboard display targeting the southwestern part of the state. This is the 3rd billboard campaign the Radon Program has conducted. The billboard will be on display for one month, but often, Mr. Paris explained, “the billboard owners will allow the display to continue for months as public service announcements at no charge if no other clients have reserved the space.” This area, Mr. Paris noted, was selected due to its “high risk, low income, and health profile of the population where mining is prevalent and there is a high incidence of smoking.” This location also coincides with a study of Tazewell County being conducted by Virginia Tech. The study, paid for using EPA State Indoor Radon Grant and state matching funds, will focus on this county and provide for the placement and retrieval of testing devices to analyze results from the study area. (Expected completion of the study will be in about one year.)
Home and Garden Shows offer an opportunity to present radon information and the program has provided booths, brochures and free test kits at these venues. The program also places a notice about radon training courses it offers in the Commonwealth magazine, a realtors’ publication that reaches an audience of 30,000 realtors. Recognizing there was a wide variety in realtors’ level of knowledge and expertise about radon, the Program devised a training course that qualifies for 2 CEU (continuing education credits). This outreach has been highly successful and is taught throughout the year. Mr. Paris noted that “a minimum of 15 registrants is required for the course to be presented; the highest number of attendees at one course was about 60.” Generally, around 200 realtors per year receive the training. Future plans include developing the presentation in webinar format to make the course more convenient and cost effective to present.
Other training provided involves outreach to school maintenance staff. The program provides training so that staff may perform the mandatory testing that has been a requirement in Virginia since the early 1990s; that is, tests must be conducted in each classroom that is in contact with a ground floor.
“Radon Measurements in Schools – Best Practices Lecture” (80 pages) is available at http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/epidemiology/radiologicalhealth/radon/Documents/School%20Testing%20Presentations/Radon%20school%20testing%20webinar%20slides%209-25-14.pdf. A video presentation of the training can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-KBkxkWMFw&feature=youtu.be&noredirect=1
The Radon Program’s approach to communication provides information to widespread and targeted audiences using a variety of methods. Future goals include enhancement of the website, use of social media and webinar productions.
For more information, contact:
Ryan Paris, Radon Coordinator
General number: (804) 864-8161
Fax number: (804) 864-8165
Email: Ryan.Paris@vdh.virginia.gov
United States