by Margaret Henderson
New Mexico Environment Department Radiation Control Bureau operates the “Indoor Radon Outreach Program” in order to provide public education about the health risk of radon gas, and information on methods for mitigating excess indoor radon. The Program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The Outreach Program encourages testing to determine if an elevated radon level is present, and gives information on obtaining radon tests. In New Mexico, the north central part of the state including Bernalillo and Santa Fe Counties are considered high risk areas. Up to 30% of homes tested in Albuquerque and 40% in Santa Fe have shown radon levels that exceed the USEPA recommended action level of 4 pCi/L. Seven counties in New Mexico are in Zone 1, where concentrations are predicted to exceed 4 pCi/L according to the USEPA map at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-08/documents/new_mexico.pdf. The remainder of the counties are in Zone 2, with predicted average indoor radon screening levels from 2 to 4 pCi/L.
Activities of the Outreach Program include providing public service announcements and distributing free radon testing kits to the public on a first-come-first-served basis during late fall and early winter. Involvement with public meetings, workshops, health fairs and other presentations may be provided for groups or organizations.
For questions about the Indoor Radon Outreach Program, contact:
Michael Taylor, Program Coordinator
Indoor Radon Outreach Program
(505)476-8608 Office Telephone
(505) 476-8654 Office Fax
https://www.env.nm.gov/rcb/indoor-radon-outreach-program/
michael.taylor@state.nm.us
United States