www.ncradon.org

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NC Radon Program
NC Radiation Protection Section Division of
Environmental Health DENR
www.ncradon.org
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What is it?... Where does it come from?...How
does it affect me?...How do I prevent it?...
Radon
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Radon is a naturally occurring gas emitted from
the earth.
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Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless,
radioactive gas.
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It is a naturally occurring gas that enters
buildings, homes and the environment from the
surrounding soil.
RADON GAS
RADIUM
It comes from the decay of Uranium which decays
into Radium and then in to Radon gas.
URANIUM
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Sources of Radiation in the USA
RADON
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Danger of Radon
Radioactive decay of Radon atom
Emits ? radiation
Emits ? radiation
Radon Decay Products

• Polonium 218
• Polonium 214

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Alpha Particles Are Strong Enough To Pit Plastic!

• Plastic chip from passive radon test (alpha
  track)
• Magnified only 100 times
• 3 months at EPA Action Level of 4 pCi/L

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What Happens When Radon Decay Products Are
Inhaled?

• Highly radioactive particles (RDPs) stick to
  lung tissue, where they can irradiate sensitive
  cells.
• Radiation can alter the cells, sometimes damaging
  the DNA of the lung cells, thus increasing the
  potential for cancer.

Image from www.hipusa.com/eTools/webmd/A-Z_Encycl
opedia/lungcancerbasics.htm
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Danger of Radon
Radon Exposure is the Second Leading Cause
of Lung Cancer!
Image from //health.allrefer.com/health/cancer-lu
ng-cancer-frontal-chest-x-ray.html
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Radon is a National Problem...
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Radon is a National Problem...
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Radon is a North Carolina Problem...
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Radon Prevalence in NC
Mountains
Piedmont
Coastal
Zone 2 Moderate Potential (2-4 pCi/L)
Zone 1 Highest Potential (gt 4 pCi/L)
Zone 3 Low Potential (lt 2 pCi/L)
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Fight Radon Induced Lung Cancer!
Encourage Radon Testing!
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Everyone Should Test for Radon!
0.3 pCi/L
4.8 pCi/L
6.8 pCi/L
10.0 pCi/L
1.2 pCi/L
0.5 pCi/L
2.1 pCi/L
1.4 pCi/L
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Where can I get a Radon Detection Kit?

• Hardware Stores
• Internet

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How much do Radon Detection Kits cost?
Average Costs Short-Term Kits
10-20 Long-Term Kits 15-25
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Radon Testing
Short-Term Testing
Takes 3-7 days
Inexpensive
Easy
Long-Term Testing
Takes 91 days
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My Results are above 4 pCi/L... What do I do now?
Repeat the test in the same location. (If
possible repeat with a Long-Term Test) If the
second test is above 4 pCi/L Call a certified
Radon Mitigator
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Homes with High Radon Levels can be Fixed!
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What is Radon Mitigation?
Method of removing Radon from the home via
ventilation through a PVC pipe and out above the
roof.
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What Does A Mitigation System Do?
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Average Costs of Mitigation
Home Under Construction Less than 500
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Average Costs of Mitigation
Existing Home 500 - 2000
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What is a Certified Radon Mitigator/ Measurement
Professional?
Measurement and mitigation contractors certified
by NEHA or NRSB have been trained and carry ID
cards.
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What it Looks Like Underneath It All...
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Benefits of Having a Home Mitigated?

• Decrease the amount of Radon in the home/building
• Improved Air Quality
• Decreased moisture
• Decreased mold and other moisture irritants

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Interesting Science Project For Your Science
Class/ Club
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THE SCIENCE OF THE RADON CANISTER
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Things to consider...

• Type of Container
• Charcoal Bed Depth
• Diffusion Barrier
• Fine Mesh Wire Screen
• Hole Size
• Humidity Problems
• Duration of Exposure
• Fabrication Procedures
• Measurement/ Collection/ Analysis Procedures

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Things to consider...
dQ
dC
D
A

dt
d?
Increase in Radon deposited on the charcoal bed
per unit of time
Difference in Radon concentration across where
the air meets the charcoal bed
Constant Value
Area of the hole



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WHAT IS A RADON CANISTER?
Side View
Top View
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• Science of a Radon Canister

• How to fabricate a Radon Canister

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Canister Construction
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Canister Deployment Retrieval...
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• Science of a Radon Canister

• How to fabricate a Radon Canister

• How to measure the amount of Radon in the
  canister

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Canister Analysis...
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• Science of a Radon Canister

• How to fabricate a Radon Canister

• How to measure the amount of Radon in the
  canister

• Analysis of Canister Results

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Canister Analysis...

• Data is compiled on a computer
• Several calculations are performed
• Time Calculations (measurement, detector,
  elapsed time periods)
• Net Count (N)
• Decay Factor (DF)
• Radon Calculation (Rn)

N
Rn

(DF CF)
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Analysis Conclusion...
Results of Test Canisters are compared to
results of Background Canisters After Analysis
is complete, the used canisters are recycled
for use in other Radon Studies
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Analysis Conclusion...

• Data Results are analyzed and conclusions are
  drawn based on results
• Re-testing may need to be performed to confirm
  findings of levels above 4 pCi/L
• After all testing is complete, the next step is
  determined
• Further Radon monitoring
• Mitigation

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• Science of a Radon Canister

• How to fabricate a Radon Canister

• How to measure the amount of Radon in the
  canister

• Analysis of Canister Results

• How to conduct a School Measurement Project

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How do I perform Testing in a School?
1) Floor plan of school and select rooms to be
tested.
2) Deploy canisters. Record date, time,
location.
3) Retrieve canisters. Record date, time, and
special circumstances.
4) Analyze and use results to determine levels in
school.
5) Determine whether mitigation needs to occur or
retesting.
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If you think that you or your school would be
interested in participating in a Special Radon
Study Project, please let us know.
Contact Talytha Moore, Radon Specialist, RPS
[phone] talytha.moore_at_ncmail.net
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EPA Documents Available...
Also available on the web www.ncradon.org
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Radon Information
NC RADIATION PROTECTION
Felix Fong (State Radon Contact)
felix.fong_at_ncmail.net
Talytha Moore (Radon Specialist)
talytha.moore_at_ncmail.net
Lanny Watkins (Radon Specialist)
lanny.watkins_at_ncmail.net
Dale Dusenbury (Env. Rad. Specialist)
dale.dusenbury_at_ncmail.net
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.ncradon.org