Air quality test results at Blue Ridge prompt district action

Air quality test results at Blue Ridge prompt district action

Walla Walla Public Schools is taking a proactive approach to addressing results from a recent air sampling test at Blue Ridge Elementary.

Fulcrum Environmental Consulting recently completed an Indoor Air Quality Assessment at Blue Ridge in which radon concentrations were identified above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benchmarks.

Fulcrum's tests showed elevated levels occurred during evening and weekends when the school's Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system (HVAC) was not operational. The district is following the recommendation of Fulcrum Environmental Consulting to work with an industry professional to develop a long-term radon mitigation solution.

The district has already started this work. The school's HVAC is now operating 20 hours a day, seven days a week to maintain constant air flow. According to Fulcrum's assessment, radon levels at Blue Ridge are reduced while the HVAC system is operational.

If the levels of Radon are minimized, Walla Walla County Health Department Director Dr. Harvey Crowder says the school is safe to continue use. Radon experts are visiting the district today to begin developing a long-term solution.

"The safety of our staff and students is our number one priority," Superintendent Dr. Rich Carter said. "We will do whatever it takes to develop a permanent solution to ensure radon levels are mitigated."

Fulcrum Environmental Consulting representatives report the increased use of the school's HVAC system will minimize Radon levels until a permanent solution is in place.

"A review of the data also suggested that further HVAC system operation would reduce the radon gas accumulation inside of the building during all periods of student and staff occupancy, including those staff that work during after school hours, before school hours and on weekends," said Ryan Mathews, Principal - Fulcrum Environmental Consulting.

The district is meeting with industry professionals January 20 to begin planning and designing a permanent solution. The district is also planning to do another round of testing to receive more specific data. This will not be a disruption to the educational setting.

According to Fulcrum Environment Consulting, Blue Ridge is the most likely building in the district to have a radon gas concern.

"As a building constructed into the ground, there is a higher likelihood of radon gas infiltration than in a building constructed with a partial basement or no basement," Mathews said. "No other buildings in the district have a completely buried basement or were constructed within a soil berm as was the case with Blue Ridge ."

The district will also test its other facilities which have basements as a precaution. Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with long-term radon exposure according to the EPA.

Tuesday, January 19 Superintendent Rich Carter briefed Blue Ridge staff on the test results and the districts action plan to reduce the radon levels. Principal Kim Doepker and Preschool Director Kerri Coffman are sending a letter home to parents today and are conducting a parent meeting at the school Thursday, January 21 at 3 p.m.

For additional information, contact Communications Director Mark Higgins at 509.526.6716 or by e-mail at: mhiggins@wwps.org.

Blue Ridge Elementary - Indoor Air Quality Assessment Fact Sheet

 Indoor Air Quality Assessment test results at Blue Ridge Elementary prompt district action

Fulcrum Environmental Consulting recently completed an Indoor Air Quality Assessment at Blue Ridge Elementary in which radon concentrations were identified above the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) benchmarks. Fulcrum's tests showed elevated levels occurred during evening and weekends when the school's Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning system (HVAC) was not operational.

The district is following the recommendation of Fulcrum Environmental Consulting to work with an industry professional to develop a long-term radon mitigation solution. The district has already started this work. The school's HVAC is now operating 20 hours a day, seven days a week to maintain constant air flow. According to Fulcrum's assessment, radon levels at Blue Ridge are reduced while the HVAC system is operational. If the levels of Radon are minimized, Walla Walla County Health Department Director Dr. Harvey Crowder says the school is safe to continue use.

What is Radon? Source: EPA

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that you can't see, smell or taste. Its presence can pose a danger to your family's health if exposed to high levels over a long period of time. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure.

What is the district doing to mitigate the elevated radon levels at Blue Ridge Elementary?

The district is following the recommendation of Fulcrum Environmental Consulting to work with an industry professional to develop a long-term radon mitigation solution. Presently, the school is also following Fulcrum's recommendation of operating the school's HVAC system 20 hours a day, seven days a week to maintain constant air flow.

When will the district develop a long-term radon mitigation solution at Blue Ridge ?

The district has already started this work. The school's heating and ventilation system is now operating 20 hours a day, seven days a week to maintain constant air flow. According to Fulcrum's assessment, radon levels at Blue Ridge are reduced while the HVAC system is operational. The district is also meeting with industry professionals January 20 to begin planning and designing a permanent solution and to do further testing.

Is it safe for staff and students to attend school at Blue Ridge ?

Yes. If the levels of Radon are minimized, Walla Walla County Health Department Director Dr. Harvey Crowder says the school is safe to continue use. Fulcrum Environmental Consulting representatives report the increased use of the school's HVAC system will minimize Radon levels until a permanent solution is in place.

What should staff (including former staff) and students do if they think they have a health-related concern?

Notify Principal Kim Doepker or Director Kerri Coffman who will be in contact with the district office to seek assistance.

How does Radon get in buildings? Source: EPA

Radon is a radioactive gas. It comes from the natural decay of uranium that is found in nearly all soils. It typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into buildings through cracks and other holes in the foundation. Buildings traps radon inside, where it can build up. Any building may have a radon problem. This means new and old buildings, well-sealed and drafty, and buildings with or without basements.

Is Radon commonly found in Walla Walla ?

According to Fulcrum Environmental Consulting, radon is everywhere. However, Walla Walla County is considered to be in the "orange zone" for radon based on EPA studies which indicates Southeast Washington is at moderate levels.

Are there concerns of Radon in other district schools?

According to Fulcrum Environment Consulting, Blue Ridge is the most likely building in the district to have a radon gas concern. As a building constructed into the ground, there is a higher likelihood of radon gas infiltration than in a building constructed with a partial basement or no basement. No other buildings in the district have a completely buried basement or were constructed within a soil berm as was the case with Blue Ridge . The district will also test its other facilities which have basements.

Have there been other air quality studies at Blue Ridge which indicated a radon concern?

No. Although there have been indoor air quality studies by industry professionals in the past at Blue Ridge , elevated radon levels were never discovered.

What are the health effects from exposure to radon? Source: EPA

There are no immediate symptoms from exposures to radon. Based on an updated Assessment of Risk for Radon in Homes (see www.epa.gov/radon/risk_assessment.html ), radon in indoor air is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States . Smokers are at higher risk of developing radon-induced lung cancer. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung cancer would usually occur years (5-25) after exposure. There is no evidence that other respiratory diseases, such as asthma, are caused by radon exposure and there is no evidence that children are at any greater risk of radon induced lung cancer than adults.

Where can I learn more about radon? Source: EPA

Visit the Environmental Protection Agency website at: http://www.epa.gov/radon/index.html