EPA Study Finds Radon Risks More Widespread Than Expected

According to a recent study by the EPA Inspector General, more people are now potentially exposed to radon gas than when Congress enacted the Indoor Radon Abatement Act of 1988 (IRAA) . The inspector general concluded that EPA either needs to consider other alternative authorities to its voluntary radon program or advise Congress that the goals of the IRAA are not achievable.

According to the report, of the 6.7 million single family homes that were constructed between 2001 and 2005, only 469,000 incorporate radon-resistant construction. And of the total 76.1 million single family homes in existence in 2005, only 2.1 million had radon-resistant construction.

While EPA sets an action level of 4 pico curies per liter (pCI/l), the report said this threshold does not represent a safe exposure level to radon. Because radon gas is a carcinogen, the study said no level of exposure is safe. Indeed, in 2005, the US Surgeon General issued a public health advisory about the risk of breathing indoor radon.

The report also indicated that high levels of radon gas have been detected in homes within all radon zones.  According to EPA, the average indoor air radon concentration is 1.3 pI/l with common ranges of 5 to 50 pC/l.

While 5.1 million homes (6.7%) are estimated to have indoor gas above the action level, the study said that the remaining 71 million are not necessarily safe because they are below the action level. This is because  the 4.0 pCi/l simply represents the level that EPA determined was techologically and economically feasible back in 1992. EPA estimated that the 4.0 pCi/l level could be achieved 95% of the time while a 2.0 pCI/l could only be achieved 70% of the time.

The study also found that only 282,000 of the 1.5 million homes built in radon zone 1 areas were equipped with radon-resistant construction. The report said the nation is building homes in high radon areas at a faster pace than testing and mitigation is occuring in existing homes. Thus, the population exposed to unacceptable levels of radon is growing.

Part of the problem is that the International Residential Code which has been adopted by 45 states does not require radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) features. Another issue is that disclosure of radon is is not mandated and there is great reluctance on the part of sellers and real estate agents to voluntary disclose radon issues.

The report said that both EPA and the Suregon General have  recommended that ALL homes be tested below the THIRD floor for radon regardless of the radon zone because radon gas can accumulate in building structures.