Radon Program

The focus of the District of Columbia Department of Health's Radon Program is primarily to educate and inform the public Radon. What radon is, where it comes from, how it enters a building, the health effects of radon exposure and how to remedy a radon problem. Through grants from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) specified as a State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG), the Radon Program has been in existence for the past 10 years. Radon coordinators have interacted with citizens in every ward and quadrant of the city providing radon information, literature and test kits for those who desire to test their homes.

Radon coordinators have distributed radon flyers, literature and test kits at government and community annual events. These events include the Latino Festival, the Black Family Reunion, the Black Caucus, the Greater Southeast Hospital Health Fair, the Ward 8 Community Health Fair, the 4 Your Health and Fitness Expo, and Adams Morgan Day. Radon coordinators have also given presentations at Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), community and civic association meetings and elementary schools throughout the city. Additionally, coordinators have been asked to visit homes to set up kits and retrieve them. These request are generally from elderly and handicapped residents, although in some cases individuals have asked assistance to retest, after receiving questionable results.

Throughout the years, the radon program has partnered with such agencies as the American Lung Association (ALA), the National Safety Council (NSC), the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), the National Medical Association and the District of Columbia Real Estate Commission. Each of these agencies has assisted with various programs by presenting information and literature to District residents via workshops and seminars. During last years grant, EPA and program staff presented a "Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Tools for Schools" workshop, inviting District of Columbia school board members, principals, teachers, nurses and maintenance staff. The purpose of this seminar was to introduce the IAQ Tools for Schools module, explain its many benefits and encourage its use. This grant year FY00, the program has partnered with the American Lung Association of the District of Columbia (ALADC). The goal of this partnership is to work with ALADC and other community organizations to reduce childhood asthma mortality and morbidity in the District of Columbia

According to statistics supplied by the American Lung Association, over 4.1 million children under the age of 18 suffer from asthma. In addition, many other youth suffer from hidden or undiagnosed asthma. In fact, asthma is the most common cause of school absenteeism due to this chronic disease. The data also indicates the importance of testing and mitigating poor air quality, especially in our schools. In FY99 President Bill Clinton introduced a children's initiative to improve the air quality in the nation's schools and concurrently to develop a more healthy and productive environment for learning. The President has placed great emphasis on the use of EPA's-IAQ Tools for Schools module**. The Department of Health is committed to the President's plan. Improving the District's indoor air quality is a major step to providing our young people with an environment conducive to a productive learning experience.

As stated earlier, the radon coordinators outreach activities include giving presentations at Advisory Neighborhood Commission (ANC), community and civic association meetings throughout the city. At these meetings, coordinators have the opportunity to first hand explain what radon is, the health effects of radon exposure, how radon enters into our homes, how to test for radon and how to get rid of it. At the end of these presentations, free radon test kits are offered to attendees*. These District residents must provide their name, address, zip code and telephone number that will be entered into the radon database. This database stores vital information of residents who have chosen to test their homes for the presence of radon. The database includes the name of the event where the test kit was disbursed, the name of the recipient, address, type of home (single family residence detached, semi-detached, row house or apartment), telephone number and test kit number. As results are received from the company where test kits are purchased and results are analyzed, coordinators enter this information into the database. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends an indoor action guideline of 4pCi/L (Pico curries per liter) of radon gas. Although no level of radiation is safe, the EPA suggests that some type of action take place if radon levels are above the action guideline. For a quick glance review, the database has a color-coded system which not only differentiates the levels of test kit results (inconclusive, above or below the action guideline), it allows for a more efficient method of collecting data. With this use of technology, coordinators are able to respond in a timely manner as calls are received or inquiries made concerning radon levels. Oftentimes when results are received, they are accompanied by a symbol that indicated that the test was conducted improperly and requires re-testing. Immediately, another test kit with a standard letter is mailed to the resident. If the resident expresses difficulty with testing and request assistance, coordinators will respond with a house call.

Customarily, elderly and/or handicapped residents request house calls although other residents have requested assistance to ensure proper testing. When a request is made, coordinators explain the allotted time to conduct the test and that they will set up and retrieve the test kit. Moreover, coordinators remind residents that this is a free service to District residents.

Coordinators have designed several radon flyers that are available at ANC, civic, community organization meetings, exhibits and health fairs. These colorful flyers explain what radon is, the health effects of radon exposure, how to get rid of radon and mention that free test kits are available for District residents. Coordinators have designed another type of flyer that includes the previously mentioned but informs residents that their neighborhood has been targeted because a high level of radon was found. This particular flyer is hand delivered throughout the targeted neighborhood and as before, informs residents that free test kits are available, that coordinators are available if assistance is necessary and the radon hotline.

The radon hotline provides residents with a means of contacting coordinators by leaving a message. Throughout the day, the hotline is continuously checked and messages retrieved. Usually, these calls are from residents who were informed that free test kit are available and are calling to request one. Other calls are from individuals who are interested in purchasing a home in the District and they either ask that a test kit be mailed to them or request that coordinators test the home. Other callers have inquired on the number of high levels of radon in the District or the number of homes tested per ward or section of the District, and others have called to request that coordinators appear at their next meeting to explain the harmful effects of radon exposure.

*To receive information about IAQ Tools for Schools, please call the radon hotline on (202) 535-2302. Please speak clearly and leave your name and a phone number where you can be reached.

**To receive a free radon test kit, call the radon hotline on (202) 535-2302. If you believe you may require assistance with testing, please indicate this after leaving your name, address and zip code.

FOR DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA RESIDENTS ONLY