Report Brings to Light the Potential for Radon Hazards in Schools

Cinnaminson, NJ, December 4, 2012

Recently, WKYC broadcast a report about the fact that many Ohio schools don’t check for radon even though the state is known to have high radon levels. In fact, most of Ohio is classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a Zone 1 area.  The areas not classified as Zone 1 have been listed as Zone 2.

Zone 1 areas have been designated as having the highest potential for a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The EPA’s Zone 2 category predicts an average indoor radon screening level of between 2 and 4 pCi/L.

Ohio, like most states, does not require radon testing in schools. According to the WKYC report, “The EPA estimates about 70,000 classrooms in the U.S. have radon levels at or above the action level of 4 pCi/L. But federal laws do not mandate radon testing in schools.”

Radon is a radioactive gas that is known to cause cancer. It comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. The gas can move up through the ground and into buildings through cracks, sumps, and other holes in a building’s foundation or slab.

“The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in theUnited Statestoday,” reported Garrett Ray, EMSL’s Radiological Laboratory Manager. “Radon is believed to claim the lives of about 20,000 Americans each year.  The only way to know if radon is a problem in a school, home, or business is to have it tested. EMSL provides easy to use radon test kits.  These kits provide people with the information they need to ensure their families are not needlessly exposed to radon.”

EMSL Analytical has a website dedicated to providing radon information which can be seen at www.RadonTestingLab.com or www.EMSL.com. EMSL has also sponsored a public outreach video about radon that can be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6yOMtXafNwM

To learn more about testing for radon, please visit www.EMSL.com, call (800)220-3675 or email info@EMSL.com .

About EMSL Analytical, Inc.
EMSL Analytical is a nationally recognized and locally focused provider of environmental and materials testing services and products to professionals and the general public. The company has an extensive list of accreditations from leading organizations as well as state and federal regulating bodies.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

EMSL Analytical

(1) 1-800-220-3675

jfrasca@emsl.com