1	Radon: Reducing the Risk Washington County Radon Awareness Initiative.
2	Radon Naturally occurring Colorless, odorless, tasteless
3	Uranium-238 Decay Series (Abbreviated) Uranium is found everywhere on earth Uranium decays to Radium and then to Radon. Uranium and Radium as solids are trapped in soil, but radon gas can move.
4	The Average Annual Dose from All Sources of Ionizing Radiation in the United States is 360 mRem
5	National Academy of Sciences: Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Alpha particles cause damage to lungs Between 15,000 and 22,000 lung cancer deaths per year are caused by radon, in the U.S. There is no other known health effect from inhalation of radon
6	How definite is the link between radon and lung cancer? Study by the NY Department of Health showed a correlation between radon exposure and lung cancer. In 1998, a committee of the National Academy of Sciences undertook a major reassessment of all data. In 2000, a detailed study by the U of Iowa found that women exposed to 4 pCi/L had a 50 percent higher risk of lung cancer. 2003 EPA study estimates 1/3 of radon-related lung cancers could be averted by reducing radon concentrations in homes that exceed 4 pCi/L
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9	Radon Action Level EPA and DEP established 4 picoCuries per Liter (pCi/L) as the “Action Level” If radon concentration is 4 pCi/L or above, building should be mitigated
10	Steps to take... Test every home Short-term versus long-term tests Test in the lowest livable level Closed house conditions 12 hours prior to testing
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12	Does this drain directly into the soil?
13	When Radon Concentrations and Air Pressure Radon will tend to flow to areas with lower air pressure. Internal air pressure is affected by: Stack effect: Warm air rises when a home is heated. The warm air creates a low pressure area below which will draw in soil gases. Wind loadings Appliances can reduce air pressure (exhaust fans, clothes dryers)
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15	Depressurization Fan
16	Caulking Wall-Floor Joint
17	Sealing Joint Between Slab and Foundation Wall
18	Radon Test Kits Can be ordered at reduced cost through NY State Department of Health. Forms are available through Washington County Public Health and Cornell Cooperative Extension. May be downloaded from NYSDOH at http://www.health.state.ny.us/environmental/radiological/radon/testkit.htm. Retest your home every 2 years.
19	Radon-resistant new construction
20	Conclusion All homes should be tested regardless of Tier. The good news is that radon is an easily fixable problem. Our data shows that half of the mitigations in NY have brought radon levels down to below 1 pCi/L.
21	For More Information Division of Environmental Safety and Health Bureau of Environmental Radiation Radon Section (800) 648-0394 Washington County Public Health (518) 746-2400 Cornell Cooperative Extension (518) 746- 2560