1. Lesson 7 How do you conduct a radon test?

2. Slide 7-1 Procedure for a radon test 1.Preparing for a test 2.Preparing the residents 3.Conducting the test

3. Slide 7-2 Prepare for the test Determine timing of the test –How long test will last –Appropriate weather conditions during test period –Convenience of owner or resident Determine the placement of the device Consider how to prevent or detect interference

4. Slide 7-3 Prepare for the test Topics to be covered in lesson on quality control Prepare necessary documents Prepare the device you will use

5. Slide 7-4 Determine timing of test How long test must run –At least 48 hours for most devices –Some devices require longer test period Convenience of owner or resident –Consideration helps encourage cooperation Weather predictions for the test period

6. Slide 7-5 Weather conditions Check local news stations for weather forecasts Heavy rain storm Hurricane Major snow storm Rapid barometric pressure changes High winds (greater than 30 mph) Do not test During extreme weather When extreme weather is predicted within 48 hours

7. Slide 7-6 Extreme weather effects Rain, snow, or freezing temperatures May seal soil and prevent radon from moving to outdoor air May thus increase indoor radon level High winds (greater than 30 mph) Create greater difference in indoor and outdoor air pressure Make radon concentrations more variable OK to test if high winds are normal for area (for example, along coast)

8. Slide 7-7 Extreme weather effects May change rate of radon entry Create greater difference in indoor and outdoor air pressure Record barometric pressure to identify weather conditions that may affect the test Rapid changes in barometric pressure

9. Slide 7-8 Determine placement of the device 1.Which level of the home? 2.Which room on that level? 3.What location within the room? See handout 7-1

10. Slide 7-9 Choose the level to test If the home is not being sold, test at lowest level where people actually live Example –Owners use unfinished basement only for storage –Test on the main floor If the home is being sold, test at lowest level where people could live without renovating the area Buyers should discuss and agree on placement Example –Buyers intend to use finished basement as bedroom for teenage son –Test in basement EPA: Test at the lowest level suitable for occupancy

11. Slide 7-10 Consider foundation types If a home has more than one type of foundation, test in or above each area For example If home has a basement that is or could be a living space, test in the basement If home has a crawl space, test in the room above the crawl space If home has a room with a cement floor ("slab-on- grade"), test in that room

12. Slide 7-11 A practical question Worst-case scenario Many inspectors always test the lowest level where people could live to identify all potential issues for a home buyer To test, or not to test, in an unfinished basement?

13. Slide 7-12 Choose the room to test Examples Bedroom Living room Family room Den Playroom Why? Select a room that is used or will be used regularly These are rooms where people usually spend a lot time

14. Slide 7-13 Rooms to avoid Kitchen –Usually has exhaust fan –Airborne particles may affect measurement Bathroom –People spend relatively little time there –High humidity may affect some devices Laundry room –Dryer exhausts air –High humidity Hallway –People usually spend little time there Closet –People usually spend little time there Crawl space –People usually spend little time there Why?

15. Slide 7-14 Which rooms may be suitable for testing? Assume this plan represents the appropriate level in this home Hallway Kitchen Master bedroom Living room Bathroom Family roomGarage Laundry room Closet

16. Slide 7-15 Which rooms may be suitable for testing? Family room Master bedroom Living room Remember to check with the buyer about future use

17. Slide 7-16 Choose the location within the room Place the device Where it will not be disturbed Where there is enough room In the breathing zone –More than 20 inches from the floor –For devices that hang from the ceiling, 6 to 8 feet from the floor More than 1 foot from exterior walls that have no windows or other potential openings More than 3 feet from windows, doors, or other potential openings in the exterior wall More than 4 inches from other objects

18. Slide 7-17 Locations to avoid LocationsExamples Where device might be disturbed during test Where children or pets might bump device With draftsFrom doors, windows, fans, or ceiling fans From heating, ventilating, and air conditioning vents With high heatNear fireplaces In direct sunlight Near appliances With high humidityBathrooms Kitchens

19. Slide 7-18 More locations to avoid Cracks in a wall Sump pump

20. Slide 7-19 Choose a location within a room Bed Window Night- stand Door Desk 4’ 2’ 14’ Exterior wall Interior wall 2’ Interior wall Book case 10’ What other information would you need? Explain your choice

21. Slide 7-20 Test interference Accidental interference Intentional interference R adon device Oops! Any change in test conditions before or during measurement that changes Concentrations of radon or RDPs Performance of measurement device Radon device

22. Slide 7-21 Common forms of interference Change the concentration of radon or RDPs –Open windows or doors –Increase ventilation Influence the device –Move device –Block sampling mechanism –Cover device –Turn off device –Apply heat or humidity

23. Slide 7-22 Approaches to interference Detect interference Prevent interference CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES Test interference

24. Slide 7-23 Methods to detect interference Use a continuous device that frequently records radon levels to detect unusual changes Use a motion detector that shows whether the device has been moved Use a proximity detector that shows whether people have been in the room when radon levels have changed Use a device that does not allow residents to see preliminary results

25. Slide 7-24 More methods to detect interference Record the temperature and humidity frequently to indicate whether doors or windows are opened during the test Carefully place the device –Place precisely so you can detect any change of position –Place at edge of support to discourage covering device Apply seals (caulk or tape) –To device to indicate whether it is opened –To nearby windows and doors to show if they are opened –Between device and its support to show if device is moved –To device and other components to indicate tampering

26. Slide 7-25 Seals Must stick to many surfaces Must be easy to remove without damaging the surface Must not be resealable or must show evidence of interference Must be unusual enough to prevent seller from duplicating Should be visible to discourage tampering Just kidding. Not this kind of seal. Tamper-evident seal

27. Slide 7-26 Questions? About preparing for the test

28. Slide 7-27 Prevent interference Prepare residents for test Before test starts Explain purpose of test Explain test procedure and conditions Explain importance of cooperating with test requirements Give residents written information about test Ask them to sign agreement to cooperate with test requirements Answer their questions How?

29. Slide 7-28 Explain purpose The people who are interested in buying your home want to know the level of radon. Radon is an invisible radioactive gas that causes lung cancer. The only way to know if you have a dangerous level of radon is to measure it. This test will measure the radon in the air in your home. If your home does have a high radon level, a system to reduce the level should be installed to protect the health of everyone who lives there. Inspector Hank James

30. Slide 7-29 Explain test procedure I’ll place two charcoal canisters in your basement around 8 AM on Wednesday, if that’s convenient for you. These devices are harmless. Although they measure a radioactive gas, they are not radioactive. They’ll need to remain in place for at least 48 hours. I’d like to pick them up around 10 AM Friday. Does that schedule work for you?

31. Slide 7-30 Explain conditions for short-term test You’ll need to maintain some simple conditions to make sure that the test is accurate. Starting 12 hours before the test and during the whole test, please keep your home closed as much as possible. Since the test will last 48 hours, your home must stay closed for 60 hours in all. Keep all windows, outside vents, and outside doors closed. Of course, you may open a door to enter or leave your home, but close the door quickly. Please shut down internal- external air exchange systems, such as your attic and window fans. You do not need to turn off your furnace fan. You mentioned that your home already has a radon mitigation system installed and that it is working properly. Please make sure that the fan is running at least 24 hours before we start the test. And keep the system running during the entire test.

32. Slide 7-31 Explain importance of cooperation It is standard procedure for me to use methods that detect and document interference. If I have evidence of interference, the test will not be valid and the results will not be accepted. Interference means Changing the test conditions (for example, by opening windows) or Disturbing the device (for example, by moving it). And I should tell you that interfering with the test may actually increase, rather than decrease, the radon level we are measuring. I’ll ask you to sign a document stating that you will maintain the required test conditions and will not disturb the device. Thanks for your cooperation.

33. Slide 7-32 Sample agreement See handout 7-2

34. Slide 7-33 Ask residents if they have questions Common questions Why test? Where? When? How long? Is it safe? What do you mean by closed conditions? What do you mean by interference? Role play your answers to Rick, the reluctant resident

35. Slide 7-34 Questions? About preparing residents for the test

36. Slide 7-35 Conducting the test Show a photo identification to the client and resident Place device or devices in appropriate location Remind residents –How long test will take (at least 48 hours) –Not to disturb device –To operate heating or recirculating air conditioning system normally –If radon-reduction system is already operating, to continue operating it during test

37. Slide 7-36 Conducting the test Confirm that home has been closed for at least 12 hours before the start of the test Remind residents –To keep home closed as much as possible –To operate only air-conditioning units that recirculate interior air For short-term tests (less than 1 week)

38. Slide 7-37 Document the test Information about device –Manufacturer –Type/model –Serial or ID number Times –Start date and time –Stop date and time Exact location of device on diagram of room and building Other building information –Type of building –Type of heating system –Foundation types –Operation of humidifiers, air filters, electrostatic precipitators, and clothes dryers Test conditions See handout 7-3

39. Slide 7-38 At end of test Collect device Confirm that test conditions (closed house) were maintained Confirm that device was not interfered with Complete documents Send device to lab promptly

40. Slide 7-39 Report results Report radon results in pCi/L –Report no more than 1 decimal place –Example: 4.3 pCi/L Report radon decay products results in WL –Report no more than 3 decimal places –Example: 0.033 WL If you convert between pCi/L and WL, explain conversion

41. Slide 7-40 Summary Preparing for a test Determine timing for test Determine placement of device –Level in home –Room –Location within room Consider how to prevent or detect interference with test –Interference with test conditions –Interference with device See handout 7-4

42. Slide 7-41 Summary Preparing residents Explain purpose of test Explain test procedure and conditions Explain importance of cooperating with test requirements Give residents written information about test Ask them to sign agreement to cooperate with test requirements Answer their questions

43. Slide 7-42 Summary Conducting the test Place device in appropriate location Remind residents of test conditions Document the test Check for interference Send device to lab promptly Report results

44. Slide 7-43 Questions?

45. Slide 7-44 Check your understanding See handout 7-5

46. Slide 7-45 Video review See EPA’s Breathing Easy: What Home Buyers and Sellers Should Know about Radon