FOR ALL STAFF
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that you can’t see, taste, or smell that seeps into buildings from the surrounding soil.
Radon levels inside a facility can vary greatly per building and even room to room based on factors such as presence in soil, negatively pressurized building, HVAC operation, etc. The only way to discover if high levels of radon are present is through systematic testing. This winter we will begin testing in the elementary buildings. Next winter the testing will take place at Silverbrook, and Badger and the high schools building the following years. After this initial testing, it will be done on a five-year cycle.
Monitoring will occur over the winter months under closed building conditions to test for a worst-case scenario over time. A small black radon monitoring device that is approximately 2” in diameter (see picture below) will be hung from the drop ceilings in various occupied locations (including classrooms) throughout the school to help us determine radon levels. The radon monitoring device is a tamper resistant passive device that monitors levels over time. The testing team will place the detectors and then retrieve them after about 90-120 days. This long testing period gives us the most representative readings. The detectors will then be sent to an EPA-approved laboratory for analysis. If test results indicate a higher than desired level, the school will implement a plan to conduct a more detailed follow-up test as well as a plan to reduce radon levels if needed.
We ask for your cooperation in helping keep “hands off” the devices so we can get an accurate reading in your work area. Thanks for your cooperation!
