Testing Schools for Radon

Elevated radon is found throughout Oregon and in a variety of structures. The only way to know if a building has elevated radon is to test!

Under ORS 332.341 and 332.345, school districts are required to develop a plan for testing schools for elevated levels of radon. At a minimum, plans must test for radon in any frequently occupied room and be tested at least once every 10 years. For more details, see the Oregon Revised Statues for further explanation.

What about charter schools? The school radon statute also applies to charter schools [also subject to health and safety statutes, per ORS 338.115]. Charter school administrators were also required to send radon testing plans to OHA, as described above.

School district's testing plans and results may be submitted by email to:

Radon.program@dhsoha.state.or.us

Resources

Protocol and Plan

Testing for Elevated Radon in Oregon Schools - A Protocol and Plan (pdf)
From OHA, this document provides school districts with a protocol to accurately test for elevated radon levels in school buildings.
Generic Model Plan
Created by the Oregon School Boards Association (OSBA) and based off OHA's radon protocol above.

Appendices for planning and conducting school radon testing:

Radon Test Placement Guide (pdf) - Fillable checklist
This document has been prepared to help schools and school district conduct radon measurements in schools. It is aimed at helping school districts determine where to test, how many test kits are required, where to place test kits, and proper documentation of the process. This document is meant to be used as a general guideline, not a mandate.
Step by Step Planning Guide (pdf) - Fillable
This fillable document is a recommended guide for determining the number of test kits needed at specific school site. It is intended to be used with the other information in the Protocol and Plan.
Radon Testing Log (pdf) - Fillable
This fillable log can be used for both planning the placement of test kits and recording data when testing of the school actually takes place. An example of the “Test Kit Placement Log” is on page 54 of the Protocol and Plan.
Sources of Radon Measurement Devices (Test Kits) (pdf)
A list of potential vendors from whom schools may be able to purchase radon test kits in bulk.
Radon Testing in Schools FAQ (pdf)
This FAQ was prepared to help schools answer frequently asked questions about testing for radon in Oregon schools. It can be distributed widely.

Radon Testing in Progress Sign (pdf)
This sign may be used by radon measurement teams, as needed, to let school staff, parents and students know that measurement for elevated radon in the school is taking place.

Communications Toolkit

Radon in Schools Risk Communication Toolkit
This toolkit can assist Oregon schools communicate radon risk, provide education, and create awareness among occupants and parents while radon activities are being performed. The components include a sample communications plan, frequently asked questions, fact sheet, social media messages and a list of resources.

Toolkit appendices:

Sample Press Release Template (Word) - Fillable
This press release may be customized to announce radon testing in local schools and increase community’s awareness of radon presence.
Memo Template - Prior to any Testing (Word) - Fillable
This memo template may be customized to notify employees, parents and guardians of radon activities before testing begins.
Memo Template - Update after Initial Testing (Word) - Fillable
This memo template may be customized to notify employees, parents and guardians of results from radon testing and planned next steps if elevated radon was found.
Memo Template - Update after Conclusion of Testing and Mitigation (Word) - Fillable
This memo template may be customized to notify employees, parents and guardians of results of final radon testing and mitigation activities.
Information Session Presentation Template - Pre-testing Information for Parents and Guardians (ppt)
This PowerPoint presentation template may be customized to inform parents and guardians of general radon information and testing activities before testing begins
Information Session Presentation Template - Pre-testing Information for Employees (ppt)
This PowerPoint presentation template may be customized to inform employees of general radon information and testing activities before testing begins. This provides more information to employees about testing equipment, signage and procedures.
Information Session Presentation Template - Pre-mitigation Information for Employees, Parents and Guardians (ppt)
This PowerPoint presentation template may be customized to inform employees, parents and guardians of general radon information and mitigation activities before mitigation begins

Resources

EPA - Creating Health Indoor Air Quality in Schools Tool Kit
Protocols for Measuring Radon and Radon Decay Products in School and Large Buildings (MALB 2014)
This new American National Standard addresses the complexities of properly measuring radon in large and complicated building structures that require specialize techniques and quality control and assurance to address complicated building designs and specialized airflow. Copies may be purchased from Association of Radon Scientist and Technologists book store, or from the American National Standards Institute store.
Radon Mitigation Standards for Schools and Large Buildings (RMS-LB 2014)
This new American National Standard addresses the complexities of properly mitigating radon in large and complicated building structures that require specialized techniques and quality assurance to address complicated building designs and specialized airflow. Copies may be purchased from Association of Radon Scientist and Technologists book store, or from the American National Standards Institute store.