The George-Little Rock Community School District recently tested its elementary, middle, and high school classrooms and district offices for radon. Radon is a clear, odorless, tasteless gas that is known to cause lung cancer. Iowa law requires all public schools to test for radon once every five years.
Testing results indicated that radon levels at G-LR Community Schools are above the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) action level of 4 picocuries per liter in one elementary classroom and in the central office building. For this reason, the district will install active radon mitigation systems in the affected areas this summer. These systems, recommended by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, are well-established and effective methods of reducing the levels of radon in buildings.
“The levels of radon in our buildings are slightly above the EPA’s action level, so we are taking steps right away to reduce risk to our students and staff,” said Amanda Miller, Superintendent of George-Little Rock Community School District. “We are grateful to have had the training in radon detection and mitigation earlier in the school year from the EPA; it allows us to be proactive in addressing the issue right away.”
While the district will be applying venting techniques to reduce levels in school buildings, Miller hopes that the testing results will encourage residents of George and Little Rock to take action as well. “Research shows that the home is the source of most radon exposure for people. If it’s in our schools, then it is likely that homes in the area are affected as well. I encourage residents to test their homes to ensure that the places where they spend the most time are safe for everyone.”
Residents can order test kits for their homes from the American Lung Association (https://lung.org/radon) or by calling the Iowa Radon Hotline at 1-800-383-5992.
Nancy Van Der Weide, GLR Marketing & Branding Coordinator