Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and an important national public health issue. If your camp has buildings, you should be familiar with the issues related to radon.
As camp owners and operators, you should be aware of the the laws and regulations regarding radon. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has established that if a home or building is found to have a radon level of 4 pCi/l or higher, action should be taken to reduce it. In most cases, radon levels can be reduced to 2 pCi/l or lower with the installation of an active (fan-assisted) venting system. Other requirements vary by state. Some states "regulate" or "qualify" providers of radon measurement and mitigation services by requiring registration, certification, or licensing; some issue identification cards. Your state can provide you with more information. To date, the following states have some form of radon requirements for radon service providers (CA, DE, FL, IL, IN, IA, KY, ME, NE, NJ, PA, RI, VA and WV). Learn more about your state radon requirements and resources.
Radon is a naturally-occuring, invisible and odorless radioactive gas produced by the decay of naturally occurring uranium in soil and water. Radon is a form of ionizing radiation and a proven carcinogen. Lung cancer is the only known effect on human health from exposure to radon in air. Exposure to high levels of radon is hazardous and can lead to death. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates. Overall, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked.
Federal Radon Action Plan
On June 20, 2011, the federal government developed the Federal Radon Action Plan. This Action Plan represents an historic interagency cooperation with the potential to reduce exposure to radon, including for people and families that do not have the resources to make the simple fixes necessary to protect themselves. The plan focusesefforts on radon reduction and mitigation in homes, schools and daycare facilities , as well as radon-resistant new construction. The plan puts into place measures that will require radon testing and mitigation in homes and workplaces. Testing for radon gas during real estate transactions is a requirement and remediation is necessary when the levels of radon gas are dangerous. Schools, workplaces, and daycare facilities are tested for radon to protect the public outside their homes.
- Environmental Protection Agency - Radon Information and Resources
- Environmental Protection Agency Radon Hotline - 1-800-SOS-RADON
- Federal Radon Action Plan
- Radon Action Month
- State Radon Resources