Good Day Radon Colleagues,

Georges-Andrea Rosens, Swiss Federal Office of Public Health, has announced creation of an international data base on radon mitigation and he is seeking submission of some of the best examples of radon mitigation. Georges is building a continuation of a data base started by EU radon colleagues including Chris Scivyer with the UK's Building Research Establishment. Both Georges and Chris are members of the Prevention and Mitigation Working Group of WHO's International Radon Project.

Please go to www.WorldRadonSolutions.info and use the input form to submit your best radon mitigation mitigation work.

Thanks,
Bill

Colleagues,

If you have been in one of MURC's radon classes in the past year, you have heard me mention that the UK was considering lowering their reference level (similar to what we have referred to as action level) by 50% to 100 Bq/m3 or about 2.7 pCi/L. Today, the recommendation of the independent expert Advisory Group on Ionising Radiation to the Health Protection Agency has been released with the lower reference level recommendation. It is my understanding that Germany has already set its reference level at 100 Bq/m3 and other countries are assessing reducing their levels as well.

In addition, the HPA Advisory Group recommended that radon control in new buildings be considered for most, if not all, of the UK.

I was part of a joint state-academic-industry team that supported the legislative adoption of the statewide building code for radon control in all new homes in Minnesota. While this code requirement is unique in the U.S. (being statewide), it is far from perfect as illustrated in the news clip cited below and here is part of the reason why:

•The Minnesota code adopts Appendix F of the International Residential Code with modifications.
•Appendix F calls for passive soil depressurization which, if properly installed, reduces average radon entry by 50%.

Why Do I Care About Radon?

Professional

My interest in radon began in the early 1970s as an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Housing at the University of Minnesota. I was fascinated by scientific reports about elevated indoor radon in Maine homes due to well water transport and in Swedish high rise apartments due to emanation from concrete.

In the latter 1970s, a professional colleague, Susan Leigh, became the Director for Governmental Affairs for the Florida Home Builders Association. Over a number of beers we discussed her members’ frustrations dealing with concerns about developing phosphate-rich lands because of elevated radon.