From Name
Jeff Miner

Dave, Thanks for that info.  I look forward to the RRNC 2.0 when it is
released.  I'm not sure which Green Building Code you are referring
to, but the USGBC must use their own code for radon requirements for
their LEED certification for residential housing.  They only require
radon restrictive features in Zone 1 counties as defined by the EPA
Radon Map.  In zone 2 and 3 radon reduction is elective but it earns
points toward the LEED certification.  But contractors tend to
choose "cheaper and easier"  ways to earn their certification points
than by doing actual radon mitigation.  As for the EPA radon map, I
know it is useful for many states, it's just that it leaves areas
like mine in a loop-hole situation.  Real estate hazard reports,
which are required in California for all real estate transactions,
use the same EPA map and describe this entire area as "moderate"
radon potential when local tests and surveys show it to be
significantly high.  Find me a way around those two injustices and
I'll quiet down some.
 
Thanks,
Jeff Miner
Radon At Tahoe
On 3/31/2011 1:11 PM, Dave Kapturowski wrote:
Untitled Document
Jeff,
 
I certainly do
not want to be the one to
defend the EPA zone maps but the truth
is that it is the only tool available
in
many states.  The Green Building Code
currently requires radon-reducing
features in all Zone 1 and Zone 2
counties.  That includes all of the
counties in Nevada
save one.  Even so, you can be sure
that many people will purchase a green
home and not be aware they are living
with elevated radon levels because the
real problem is that there is no
testing requirement!  I am considering
attending this meeting but it is not
clear that a modification to include
testing is possible at this point.
 
The AARST-ANSI
standards committee is
currently working on RRNC 2.0 standard
for ICC building code adoption for all
homes.  RRNC 2.0 also relies on the
EPA map but will allow state and local
data to supersede the EPA map when
such data is available.  And RRNC 2.0
will require testing as a prerequisite
for an occupancy permit.
 
Regards,
Dave Kapturowski
RadonAway
 
From:
International Web Resource for Radon
Professionals [mailto:RADONPROFESSIONALS@LIST.UIOWA.EDU]
On
Behalf Of Jeff Miner
Sent:
Thursday, March 31, 2011
2:54 PM
To:
RADONPROFESSIONALS@LIST.UIOWA.EDU
Subject:
Re: [RNPROF] FW: Green
Building
Experts Needed to Help Shape New
Codes
 
Trudy,
I am unable to attend the Green
Building Code hearings, but If I were
to go I
would plead with them NOT to use the
EPA Radon Maps to determine what areas
should have radon building
restrictions.  Those old maps are
currently
used by the U.S. Green Building
Council for their LEED certification
program
and it allows builders to build LEED
certified houses in high radon areas
(such
as the three counties in California
that border Lake Tahoe in the Sierra
Nevada) WITHOUT installing radon
reduction features or even testing for
radon.  People in the Lake Tahoe
area
move into LEED certified houses
expecting state-of-the-art green
building
standards and I bet 40% of them have
high radon in those houses and are not
aware of it.  (40% is the percent of
houses in the South Lake Tahoe
area that test over the EPA
action level).  The EPA Radon Maps are
taken as the gold standard by most
government and non-government agencies
but they just do not do the job in
counties with varying levels of
radon.  More recent and more localized
radon studies (which exist but are not
used in this area) should take
precedence where they are available.  
Radon has slipped under the radar
of the green building industry and we
have only ourselves to blame. 
Pardon my candor.
Jeff Miner
Radon At Tahoe
http://www.RadonAtTahoe.com
On 3/31/2011 10:24 AM, Trudy Smith
wrote:
 
Green
Sustainable Building
Experts Needed
Help Shape the
2012 International Green
Construction Code (IGCC)
at the
International Code
Council’s Code
Development
Hearings in Dallas
 
Participate
in the upcoming
Code Development
Hearings on the
IGCC and ISPSC
(International
Swimming Pool and
Spa Code), May 16
– 22, Dallas,
Texas.
Have a
voice in the
code development
process
Ensure
that code
requirements
promote safety,
energy
conservation,
and
sustainability
Click here for hearings
schedule
The
results of these
hearings will form
the basis for
changes to be
heard at IGCC and
ISPSC Final Action
Hearings, Nov. 2-6
in Phoenix.
FREE
Online
Registration
Registration is free to attend the Dallas
hearings at the
Sheraton Dallas
Hotel.
ICC
Membership is
not required.
Advance
registration for
ICC Members
ensures voting
credentials are
verified before
delegates arrive
at the hearings.
The last
date to apply
for voting
credentials is
May 6, 2011.
We look forward
to having you
with us at the 2011
IGCC/ISPSC
Code
Development
Hearings, May
16 – 22, Dallas,
Texas.
 
Not an
ICC Member? Click here to join! You do
not have to be
an ICC member
to attend and
participate in
the hearings.
Don't
miss the Dallas
Building
Tour, May 15th
Tour the Dallas
Cowboy's
Stadium and
Pioneer 360 Business
Center.
 
 
 
 
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