Radon Leaders Saving Lives
EPA R4 Mapping Workgroup Requests Input
EPA Region 4 has established a Mapping Workgroup, made of representatives of EPA R4, EPA HQ and each of eight states.
The Workgroup has two primary goals:
(1) achieving consistency of data collection/ analysis and the resulting mapping efforts of its states; and (2) developing a valid approach for recommending changes to some of the county zone designations as originally defined in the EPA Map of Radon Zones (Zones 1, 2 or 3). The results will be used in part to better characterize the seriousness and extent of the radon problem in Region 4 states, and to update the zone classifications. We are seeking input and lessons learned from others who have attempted or completed these types of efforts. Please go to the Forum Section (under Discuss) of the RadonLeaders.org website to respond, so that we can have all input in one location. If you haven't registered yet, it will only take a few minutes. We will appreciate practical suggestions, general thoughts or suggestions, as well as examples of protocols or maps you may wish to attach. Additional information is provided at the Forum site. I can be reached at brooks.patsy@epa.gov for questions about this request, and will appreciate any assistance with this effort.
Patsy Brooks
Radon Program Manager
EPA R4 - Atlanta, GA
404-562-9145
This is a fabulous idea. Coordinated efforts are a great skill of the Region 4 team!
Patsy,
Thank you for starting the process of revising the EPA radon map. The EPA radon map is used by many entities, but one in particular, natural hazard reporting for real estate sales, could have a major impact on identifying high radon homes at the time a house sells. Here is one example where the current system of using the EPA radon map has broken down. Natural hazard reporting is required on all houses sold in California. My county, El Dorado, is listed as a "moderate" Zone 2 county on the old EPA radon map, even though the Sierra Nevada portion of El Dorado County is very high in radon. All houses sold in the Lake Tahoe area are labeled as being in an area of "moderate" radon potential, which is clearly not the truth for houses in this region.
My input to the Mapping Workgroup is that some consideration be given to high radon regions within counties so that real estate home sales in "high" radon regions are reported as such, and are not labeled as "moderate" because the county happens to be labeled as "moderate". If you must keep the county as the smallest reporting unit, err on the side of caution and label the entire county as high if there are high regions within the county. Real estate sales are one of the best times to get people to test for radon. Whatever revisions we make to the EPA radon map, please let's not allow the current practice of false radon reporting to continue in real estate hazard reports.
Jeff Miner
Radon At Tahoe