radon and radon mitigation issues in wyoming

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Dragan Skropanic PUBH 8165 Section 01 Prof. R. Heick April 24, 2010

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Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming. Dragan Skropanic PUBH 8165 Section 01 Prof. R. Heick April 24, 2010. For whom is this written?. Elected and appointed public officials in the state of Wyoming Insurance agents General public. Goals. What is radon? - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Dragan SkropanicPUBH 8165 Section 01 Prof. R. Heick

April 24, 2010

Page 2: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

For whom is this written?

Elected and appointed public officials in the state of Wyoming

Insurance agentsGeneral public

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Page 3: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

GoalsWhat is radon?How does radon enter your home?Presence of radon in the U.S. and WyomingRadon exposure and lung cancerCost of lung cancer treatment vs. cost of radon

mitigationWhat could the state and insurance companies do?

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Page 4: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

What is radon?Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas (EPA,

2010b)It can be found in the soil, air, and waterHuman senses cannot detect it (Moeller, 2005, p. 121)It “is a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers”

(EPA, 2010b)

References: Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA). (2010b). Radon. Retrieved March 17 from

http://www.epa.gov/radon/index.html Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

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Page 5: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Where can one find radon?Radon is present everywhere in the world;The U.S. is not an exception;The highest readings are in the Rocky Mountain states,

most of the Midwestern states, Appalachian region, and some New England states, as the image on the next slide will show.

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Page 6: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

The red states

Source: Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA). Radon: EPA map of radon zones. Retrieved March 18, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html

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Page 7: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Radon in Wyoming

Source: Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA). (2010d). Radon: Wyoming. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/states/wyoming.html

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Page 8: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

How does radon enter your home?It may come in from the soil through foundation cracks

and other openings.Radon is present in water. It can be released into air

while showering (EPA, 2010a). Radon can be released into the air by operating washing

machines (Ishikawa, Yasuoka, Tokonami, Takahashi, & Suda, 2008, p. 719).

References:

Environmental Protection Agency. (2010a). Consumer’s guide to radon reduction: How to fix your home. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

Ishikawa, T., Yasuoka, Y., Tokonami, S., Takahashi, H., & Suda, H. (2009). Characterization of airborne radon released by domestic showering and the use of a washing machine. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 279(3), 719-724.

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Page 9: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Radon test kits availabilityWyoming Radon Test Kit Program is available online at

http://www.radon.com/sub/wy/

The price is low: one can get 2 kits for $6.95.

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Page 10: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Radon exposure and healthExposure to radon may cause lung cancer in both non-smokers and

smokers (EPA, 2010c).

University of Iowa study shows a 11 to 21 percent increased risk of developing lung cancer at 3 pci/L of air during the time period of 5 to 30 years (University of Iowa, 2005). Recall that the U.S. EPA’s current “action level” is set at 4 pci/L.

References: Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA). (2010c). Radon: Health risks. Retrieved March 18, 2010 from

http://www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html University of Iowa. (2005). Study shows link between residential radon exposure and lung cancer. Retrieved

April 16, 2010 from http://www.uihealthcare.com/news/news/2005/03/21radon.html

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Page 11: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Radon’s contribution to mortality

Source: Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). Radon: A citizen’s guide to radon . Retrieved March 17, 2010 fromhttp://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

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Page 12: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Radon – lung cancer connectionRadon Level

For smokers, exposure over lifetime, out of

1000 people

For non-smokers, exposure over lifetime,

out of 1000 people

What to do? Stop smoking and

20 pci/L 260 could get lung cancer

36 could get lung cancer Fix your home!

10 pci/L 150 could get lung cancer

18 could get lung cancer Fix your home!

8 pci/L 120 could get lung cancer

15 could get lung cancer Fix your home!

4 pci/L 62 could get lung cancer 7 could get lung cancer Fix your home!

2 pci/L 32 could get lung cancer 4 could get lung cancer Consider fixing tobetween 2 and 4 pci/L

1.3 pci/L 20 could get lung cancer 2 could get lung cancer Reducing below this level may be difficult

Source: Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA). Radon: Health risks. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html

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Page 13: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Lung cancer by state

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC). Lung cancer rates by state. Retrieved April 17, 2010 from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/statistics/state.htm

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Page 14: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Deaths from lung & bronchus cancer by state

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC). (2010). Lung cancer rates by state. Retrieved April 17, 2010 from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/statistics/state.htm

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Page 15: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Lung & Bronchus Cancer in Wyoming

Source: National Cancer Institute. (NCI). (2010). State cancer profiles: Wyoming lung & bronchus. Retrieved April 13, 2010 from http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/cgi-bin/quickprofiles/profile.pl?56&047#RT_ForACancer

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Page 16: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Lung & Bronchus Cancer in Wyoming (cont’d)

Source: National Cancer Institute. (NCI). (2010). State cancer profiles: Wyoming lung & bronchus. Retrieved April 13, 2010 from http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/cgi-bin/quickprofiles/profile.pl?56&047#RT_ForACancer

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Page 17: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Cost of lung cancer treatmentAverage cost per patient for three periods of treatment could

cost $30,000 in 1996 dollars (EPA, 2002, p. 14)

Total medical costs through 10 years of treatment after diagnosis can reach $107,000 in 1996 dollars (EPA, 2002, p. 22)

Estimated total burden on the state of Wyoming: $23,861,000 in 1996 dollars (see slide 13)

Estimates in 2010 dollars are higher

Reference: Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA). (2002). Cost of lung cancer. Retrieved April 16, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/oppt/coi/pubs/II_5.pdf

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Page 18: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Radon mitigationWhy radon mitigation? Because it can reduce the unsafe levels of the gas, and, thus,

reduce the risk of lung cancer significantly.

What to do? EPA (2010a) recommends:Select a qualified radon mitigation contractor to reduce the

radon levels in your home. Determine an appropriate radon reduction method. Maintain your radon reduction system. (EPA, 2010a)

Reference:Environmental Protection Agency. (2010a). Consumer’s guide to radon reduction: How to fix your home.

Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

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Page 19: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Cost of radon mitigationTechnique Typical radon

reductionCost of installation Annual operating

cost

Subslab suction 50% - 99% $800 - $2,500 $50 - $200

Passive subslab suction

30% - 70% $550 - $2,250 Some energy penalties

Draintile suction 50% - 99% $800 - $1,700 $50 - $200

Block-wall suction 50% - 99% $1,500 - $3,000 $100 - $400

Sump-wall suction 50% - 99% $800 - $2,500 $50 - $250

Crawlspace depressurization

50% - 99% $1,000 - $2,500 $50 - $250

Source: Environmental Protection Agency. (2010a). Consumer’s guide to radon reduction: How to fix your home. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

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Page 20: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Cost of radon mitigation (cont’d)Technique Typical radon

reductionCost of installation Annual operating

cost/loss

Natural ventilation in a crawlspace

0% - 50% $200 - $500 if additional vents

installed

Some energy penalties

Sealing of radon entry routes

Variable; not easy to determine

$100 - $2,000 None

Home (basement) pressurization

50% - 99% $500 - $1,500 $150 - $500

Natural ventilation Variable; temporary $200 - $500 if additional vents

installed

$100 - $700

Source: Environmental Protection Agency. (2010a). Consumer’s guide to radon reduction: How to fix your home. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

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Page 21: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Most effective and most expensive methods

Technique Typical radon reduction

Cost of installation Annual operating cost/loss

Private well water systems: aeration

95% - 99% $3,000 - $4,500 $50 - $150

Private well water systems: granular activated carbon

85% - 99% $1,000 - $3,000 None

Source: Environmental Protection Agency. (2010a). Consumer’s guide to radon reduction: How to fix your home. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

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Page 22: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

What could the state do?Provide incentives to contractors and construction

companies to test for radon and install radon mitigation systems before a home is sold

Provide incentives to home owners who install a mitigation system

Provide financial assistance to those at or below poverty line to install a mitigation system

Work with health insurance companies to offer lower insurance premiums to those who have installed a radon mitigation system

Educate the general public

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Page 23: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

References Catelinois, O., Rogel, A., Laurier, D., Billon, S., Hemon, D., Verger, P., & Tirmarche, M. (2006). Lung cancer

attributable to indoor radon exposure in France: Impact of the risk models and uncertainty analysis. Environmental Health Perspectives, 114(9), 1361-1366.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC). (2010). Lung cancer rates by state. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/lung/statistics/state.htm

Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA). (2002). Cost of lung cancer. Retrieved April 16, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/oppt/coi/pubs/II_5.pdf

Environmental Protection Agency. (2010a). Consumer’s guide to radon reduction: How to fix your home. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/consguid.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2010b). Radon. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/index.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (2010c). Radon: Health risks. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html

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Page 24: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

References (cont’d) Environmental Protection Agency. (2010d). Radon: Wyoming. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from

http://www.epa.gov/radon/states/wyoming.html

Ishikawa, T., Yasuoka, Y., Tokonami, S., Takahashi, H., & Suda, H. (2009). Characterization of airborne radon released by domestic showering and the use of a washing machine. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 279(3), 719-724.

Moeller, D. W. (2005). Environmental health (3rd ed.). Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.

National Cancer Institute. (NCI). (2010). State cancer profiles: Wyoming lung & bronchus. Retrieved April 24, 2010 from http://statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov/cgi-bin/quickprofiles/profile.pl?56&047#RT_ForACancer

University of Iowa. (2005). Study shows link between residential radon exposure and lung cancer. Retrieved April 16, 2010 from http://www.uihealthcare.com/news/news/2005/03/21radon.html

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Page 25: Radon and Radon Mitigation Issues in Wyoming

Further sources Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. (ATSDR). (2000). Case studies in environmental

medicine: Radon toxicity. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/radon/

American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists. (AARST). (2010). The dawn of a new era for radon proficiency. Retrieved April 13, 2010 from http://www.aarst.org/aarst/education.shtml

Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA). (2010a). Radon. Retrieved April 13, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/index.html

Environmental Protection Agency. (EPA). (2010b). Radon: A citizen’s guide to radon. Retrieved April 23, 2010 from http://www.epa.gov/radon/pubs/citguide.html

Gray, A., Read, S., McGale, P., & Darby, S. (2009). Lung cancer deaths from indoor radon and the cost effectiveness and potential of policies to reduce them. British Medical Journal, 338(7688), 1-11.

Heartland Radon Research and Education Program. (HRREP). (2006). The Iowa radon lung cancer study. Retrieved April 23, 2010 from http://www.cheec.uiowa.edu/misc/radon.html

Radon1.com. (2010). Radon education: Facts & Myths. Retrieved April 13, 2010 from http://www.radon1.com/education.htm

Wyoming Department of Health. (WDH). (2010). Wyoming radon project. Retrieved March 17, 2010 from http://wdh.state.wy.us/PHSD/radon/index.html

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