By Margaret Henderson
The California Department of Public Health, in partnership with the California Geological Survey, is developing detailed radon potential maps for regions of the state. With the diverse geological features of the state, area mapping is an important way of communicating with the public about radon potentials in their geographic areas of the state. To date, the project has completed nine maps.
The most recently published map and report, covering the County of San Mateo is available on the website ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/dmg/pubs/sr/sr_226/SR226_SanMateo_Radon_Final_map.pdf. (See the accompany report which describes radon potential for geologic formations in San Mateo County at ftp://ftp.consrv.ca.gov/pub/dmg/pubs/sr/sr_226/SR226_San_Mateo_Radon_FINAL.pdf.)
The San Mateo map identifies areas where geologic conditions are more likely to produce excessive indoor radon levels and is advisory in nature. It depicts high, moderate, low and unknown zones. A high zone is considered to have the potential for concentrations in excess of the EPA 4 pCi/L recommended action level.
Maps of radon potentials in other areas of the state that have been published include:
- Palos Verdes area;
- Santa Cruz County;
- Take Tahoe area ;
- San Luis Obispo County;
- Monterey County;
- Ventura County;
- Southern Los Angeles County; and
- Santa Barbara County.
To access all reports, visit
http://www.cdph.ca.gov/HealthInfo/environhealth/Pages/RadoninCalifornia.aspx
The California Radon Program works in partnership with California Geologic Survey, the subject matter experts for the state. For more information about radon in California and the state’s mapping efforts, contact:
California Department of Public Health, Indoor Radon Program
Telephone: (916) 449-5674
Email: Radonprogram@cdph.ca.gov
California Geological Survey
Telephone: (916) 445-1825
Email: mrmhmp@consrv.ca.gov
Source: Radon Potential Zone Map for San Mateo County, California, by
Ronald K. Churchill, Ph.D (2014)
United States