Radon Overview Federal Radon Action Plan

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this module you should be able to:  Identify which federal agencies collaborated on the Federal Radon Action Plan  Recall the Surgeon General’s national goals for radon mitigation in this decade  Recognize some common public misconceptions about radon

Learning Outcomes  Recall HUD multifamily development radon requirements  Examine what the HUD’s Office of Public Housing position is on radon (PIH )  Determine what your agency should be doing about radon Upon completion of this module you should be able to:

Federal Radon Action Plan PROTECTING PEOPLE AND FAMILIES FROM RADON A FEDERAL ACTION PLAN FOR SAVING LIVES

The Scope  The first comprehensive, multi-agency effort to address an environmental threat  Multi-year approach  Federal government owns, administers, or funds 1.5 million homes, schools, and daycare facilities  An estimated one half million of these have elevated radon levels

The Plan: Collaborative Effort Federal agencies involved:  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)  Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)  Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)  U S Department of Agriculture (USDA)  Department of Defense (DOD)  Department of Education (DOE)  Department of the Interior (DOI)  Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)  General Services Administration (GSA)

Healthy People 2020 Surgeon General’s ten year plan includes radon :  Have radon mitigation system in 30% of the estimated 1.2 million homes with elevated radon  100% of new homes in high radon areas constructed with radon reducing features

Where is Testing Currently Being Conducted? 70% of the current testing for radon is driven by real estate transactions.

Why Are More Homes Not Tested? Misconceptions:  High cost of mitigation vs. low return at time of resale  Underestimate seriousness of health risk

HUD’s Role in the Plan HUD will incorporate radon testing and mitigation into public and assisted housing

HUD’s Role In the plan, HUD committed to a program within an 18 month period to collect radon test results as part of it’s inspection protocol of public and assisted housing, as a first step to a baseline study of the housing stock it funds.

HUD and DOE Collaborating  HUD and DOE are promoting radon awareness through weatherization and healthy homes outreach activities.  In 2013 HUD’s Office of Healthy Homes, through it’s grant programs to states and municipalities, will test an estimated 1,400 housing units for radon and fix those that exceed the EPA action level.

HUD’s Office of Multifamily Development This office issued Notice H on January 31, 2013 which outlines the Radon Policy for Multifamily Mortgage Insurance Programs. An estimated 105,000 housing units will be affected in 2013.

What Does H Require?  Housing units must be tested for radon by professionals who are certified by NRPP or NRSB.  If the state where the dwelling unit is located requires licensure, the measurement professional must be licensed in that state.

What Does H Require?  If the tested units have radon levels of 4 pCi/L or more, mitigation systems must be installed by professionals who are certified by NRPP or NRSB.  If the state where the dwelling unit is located requires licensure, the mitigation professional must be licensed in that state.

What Does H Require?  For new construction, radon resistant features must be used.  In geographic areas with higher radon levels, passive mitigation systems must be installed.  In other areas, a coarse aggregate permeable layer below the concrete slabs must be provided and these must be sealed with plastic membranes.

HUD’s Office of Public Housing  This office issued Notice PIH (HA) on February 3, 2013 which outlines radon information for PIH programs.  PHA’s are encouraged to test for radon in existing units and mitigate if levels above 4 pCi/L are found.  The Office is currently examining ways that radon testing and mitigation may be incorporated into program requirements for HUD assisted housing.

What Action Should You Be Taking?  Clearly, radon is a serious threat to your health.  Test your home and if it is above the EPA action level, fix it.  If you work in a HUD sponsored housing program, keep apprised of the requirements for radon testing and mitigation in the dwelling units for which you and your agency are responsible.

Summary In this module we have discussed:  Which federal agencies collaborated on the Federal Radon Action Plan  The Surgeon General’s national goals for radon mitigation in this decade  Some common public misconceptions about radon

Summary  HUD multifamily development radon requirements  What the HUD’s Office of Public Housing position is on radon (PIH )  What your agency should be doing about radon In this module we have discussed: