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Invitation to Government and Educational entities to participate in the Hamilton County Department of Environmental Service's Radon Survey
The Hamilton County Department of Environmental Services (HCDOES) is conducting a Radon Survey for southwest Ohio. The goal of the survey is to provide us with a better idea of Radon levels in the different communities. As part of this survey, HCDOES will provide a free Radon check of your building.* For more information about participation in this survey, please contact Harry G. St. Clair at harry.st.clair@does.hamilton-co.org with your organization’s name, a contact person and telephone number.
What is Radon? Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the breakdown of uranium, in soil, rock, and water. Radon is found at high levels in every state in America. It seeps into buildings from the surrounding soil, and sometimes contaminates well water. Radon cannot be detected by sight, smell, or taste and so detectors must be used to test whether radon is present in our homes, offices, and schools.
For more information about radon, please visit the Department of Environmental Services radon webpage or watch a short radon movie that can be downloaded from the Environmental Protection Agency.
What does a Radon Check Involve? A technician from HCDOES will visit your building and assess the best location to place a Radon monitor. The monitor will be left in a secure location for several days to provide an accurate reading of Radon levels in your building. The technician will then return and report the Radon level to you, before removing the monitor.
Radon Levels The average measured indoor radon level is 1.3 pCi/L (pCi/L) in the United States. The average outdoor level is about 0.4 pCi/L. USEPA recommends mitigation when the indoor radon level exceeds 4 pCi/L. The University of Toledo has created a map of Ohio showing the mean indoor concentration of radon for each county.
Action If your measured level is over 4 pCi/L, you should contact a certified radon measurement/mitigation contractor. Other tests should be performed as soon as possible. To find out about certified contractors in Ohio, contact: Department of Health Bureau of Diagnostics, Safety & Performance Certification P.O. Box 118
Columbus, OH
43215-0118
Please contact: Harry G. St. Clair at harry.st.clair@does.hamilton-co.org with your organization’s name, a contact person and telephone number for more information about participation in the survey.
* Disclaimer The Ohio Revised Code allows these measurements with your consent after being informed that; A. Pursuant to division B of Section 3723.02 of the Revised code, an individual, business entity or government entity conducting research regarding radon testing or mitigation may perform radon testing or mitigation without a license, if the owner or occupant of the building or real property where the research is to be conducted consents after being informed in writing of all the following: 1. HCDOES is not licensed to perform radon testing or mitigation 2. The results of any testing are not valid for use in any contract or legal document as evidence or absence of radon in the building or real property, 3. That any mitigation methods used are experimental and may not be successful B. Radon test results obtained pursuant to this section are not valid for use in any contract or legal document as evidence or absence of radon in the building or real property C. No licensed radon mitigation specialist shall provide advise regarding radon mitigation on the basis of any radon test performed pursuant to this section D. No licensed Radon mitigation contractor shall perform radon mitigation on the basis of any radon test performed pursuant to this section.
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Radon
is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.- only
cigarette smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. In fact, the
Environmental Protection Agency and the Surgeon General have
strongly recommended that all residences (except those above the
second floor in multi-level buildings) be tested for radon.