School Board of the City of Virginia Beach
Policy 3-60

BUSINESS AND NONINSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS

Safety: Radon Measurements

A. Definition/Source

Radon-222 is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil, rocks, underground water, and air.

Radon is produced by the natural breakdown (radioactive decay) of radium-226 in soil and rocks. The radon breaks down to radon decay products that can attach themselves to particles in the air.

B. Health Effects

Exposure to elevated radon concentrations has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer. The Surgeon General's office of the U.S. Public Health Service and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes that indoor radon constitutes a substantial health risk. The EPA is encouraging the testing of school structures. Elevated radon concentrations have been reported in Virginia's schools.

C. Radon Measurements in Division Facilities

Taking into account the foregoing the school board adopts the following guidelines for radon measurements in building facilities:

1. Bids will be solicited for radon measurement from persons listed as proficient to offer such services by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as mandated in the legal reference to this policy.

2. Where initial readings are between 4 and 20 picocuries per liter the facility will be retested.

3. In those instances where readings above 4 persist corrective action will be taken.

4. Corrective actions will be initiated only after consultation with the governing body.

Editor's Note
See also [State] Supts. Memo No. 268, December 13, 1989.

Legal Reference:

Code of Va., § 22.1-138. Minimum standards for public school buildings.

Code of Va., § 32.1-229.01. Companies listed as proficient to perform radon screening, testing or mitigation.

Code of Va., § 32.1-299.01:1. Action for damages.

Editor's Note
For guidelines see United States Environmental Protection Agency, "Radon Measurements in Schools" (Interim Report March 1989).

 

Adopted by School Board:  February 16, 1993