Elevated radon levels found in Rawles

Only two weeks ago, escalated levels of radon, a radioactive gas, were found on the first floor of Rawles Hall.\nThe IU Office of Environment, Health and Safety Management received test results two weeks ago, which found the radon level to be at 4.4 picocuries per liter, just above the U.S Environmental Protection Agency's guideline for homes, which is 4.0 picocuries.\nThe procedure was conducted this summer over a three month period from June to September after an incoming professor requested this test be implemented.\nLong-term exposure to radon has been associated with the increased risk of lung cancer, especially among nonsmokers, according to the EPA. This risk is based on the occupancy of a building for an average of 70 percent of each day over a period of 75 years.\nAccording to a fact sheet released by the OEHSM, occupants of Rawles Hall would have to spend 17 hours a day for 75 years in the building. Therefore, the EPA's home guidelines are not for a possible scenario for most students and faculty at the University.\nStudents and faculty throughout the building received a fact sheet pertaining to the increased radon findings. The fact sheet included background, risks and links to additional information on radon.\n"I'm just not worried about it," said graduate student Kelly Steinmetz. "I think we'll be OK."\nRadon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that is formed through the decomposition of uranium. Because uranium breaks down through natural decay in various types of rocks at the Earth's surface, the element has the capability to seep through the soil and rocks at surface level. Over time, the decay of uranium has the ability to move from the rock and soil into buildings through cracks in the building's foundation.\nMike Jenson, assistant director of the OEHSM, said detectors were put in place in room 115 of Rawles Hall as a preliminary test, but can't be used to gauge the entire building's level of radon.\n"I think this is something we need to address, but I do not think it's an immediate public health threat," Jenson said.\nRandy Pardue, executive board member for the American Federation of State, County and Municiple Employees Local 832, said radon is currently an important issue on the IU campus, but compared to lowering levels of asbestos and mercury, it has not been at the top of IU's agenda.\n"I believe there are so many of these things in the common workplace, and it's an issue that has been brought to the forefront because it needed to be addressed," Pardue said.\nAccording to a fact sheet released by the OEHSM, a bare dirt crawl space located below room 115 is the likely source of radon within the building. The OEHSM, IU engineering and the physical plant are working together to create and implement a plan to ventilate this area as soon as possible. \n"This is not an immediate public concern," Jenson emphasized. "It's not a situation where people should be concerned to go to work or class on a day-to-day basis."\nRadon gas levels in buildings fluctuate depending on a number of factors, including weather, volume of traffic moving through the building and the amount of heating and/or cooling that takes place throughout the building.\nThe single air test that has been obtained is too limited to characterize a risk for a high level of radon. The sample taken was higher than expected for the first floor location in a public building that is serviced by a large HVAC system.\nIU officials are developing a plan to test for radon throughout offices and classrooms on the IU campus. However, Jenson would not comment on what buildings will be tested in the near future.\nGathered around a table engulfed in books, pens and papers covered in mathematical equations, a group of graduate students said they spend approximately six to 10 hours a day studying and teaching in Rawles Hall. However, the students and faculty were less than concerned with the increased levels of radon found in the building two weeks ago.\n"I am not worried, because I feel if it's a threat they will seek abatement," said Christopher Connell, assistant professor of mathematics. "Overall, I'm not here that long, about 10 hours per day. I would be much more concerned if it were found in my home."\nShort- and long-term monitoring plans will be carried out at strategic areas of the building to confirm the preliminary readings. The tests will determine which areas of the building are being affected, according to the fact sheet released by the OEHSM, which is in the process of forming a ventilation plan to reduce the radon levels, Jenson said.\nBuilding occupants will be informed of the progress of the project, Jenson said. Individuals or groups who have additional concerns or questions can reach the OEHSM at 855-6311.\n"All due diligence was applied to the issue of radon on campus and I have confidence that the (OEHSM) is conducting a series of tests on more buildings," Pardue said. "We will have a good idea on the severity of problems after the tests are conducted"