by Margaret Henderson
In a brochure, “Building Radon Out of Wyoming,” the Wyoming Department of Public Health works with and encourages building officials to adopt Radon Resistant New Construction (RRNC) techniques found in Appendix F of the International Residential Building Code. The code is designed for the installation of passive radon mitigation systems in new homes. Adoption is at the discretion of local building code officials and is encourage by the department.
According to the department, approximately 37% of Wyoming homes have radon levels above 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA’s recommended action level. Wyoming is classified by EPA as Zone 1, which is the highest zone for having the potential for elevated levels of radon in homes.
The Town of Jackson and Teton County, as well as the City of Green River, have adopted Appendix F and are listed as examples. Recognition of radon being an issue has become so prevalent in the real estate industry that in Wyoming, an individual can rarely purchase a home without it being mentioned in the disclosure statement. The Wyoming communities given as examples believed it was important to address radon issue in a preventative way. Also quoted in the brochure are architectural, planning and construction firms that emphasize cost savings and efficiency in installing radon systems initially during construction. The brochure also gives illustrations including EPA’s “Building Radon Out Guide.”
To view the brochure, see https://health.wyo.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Radon_and_Building_Code_Officials.pdf
For more information, contact:
Wyoming Department of Health
Public Health Division Preventive Health and Safety Section
Lead and Radon Programs
6101 Yellowstone Road, Suite 510
Cheyenne WY 82002
Telephone: (307) 777-6015
Fax (307) 777-5402
http://www.wyomingradon.org
United States