Summary

Since October 1990, the District's Radon program has provided free radon test kits and radon literature to residents throughout the city. In October 2000, the Radon program increase its scope and began to respond to citizens complaints that include indoor air quality (IAQ). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides grant funds via State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG), which the District has received since 1990. Though grant funds are primarily awarded for radon-related activities, EPA supported the District's need to address IAQ matters. During FY05, the Radon/IAQ program responded to over 820 calls relating to radon, IAQ and mold, and conducted more than 50 IAQ inspections, mostly in multifamily buildings, but also in schools, government and commercial buildings throughout the city. This arduous undertaking was completed by Radon/IAQ program staff partnering with other governmental departments.

Radon

The radon aspect of the Radon/IAQ program;

• Provides residents with free radon test kits to test their homes for the presence of elevated radon progeny; and
• Provides radon literature at annual and local events
• Provides a Radon Hotline, (202) 535-2302, that residents can call to discuss radon-related issues and request a free radon test kit. 

According to an EPA analysis*, out of a total of 146,400 lung cancer deaths nationally in 1995, 21,100 (or 14.4%) were radon related. Radon/IAQ staff attended community organization meetings to provide radon information, literature and free test kits to citizens. Although staff members have diligently worked to reach all wards and quadrants throughout the city, a large number of residents are still unaware of the dangers of radon. This problem may be addressed with more outreach activities as well as public service announcements (PSA's) that inform citizens about radon and the availability of free test kits. We have found that an area in northwest DC near Rock Creek Park and Chevy Chase produced the highest number of radon test results that were above EPA's action guideline of 4 pCi/L. Testing in other parts of the city is still critical for assessing accurate indoor radon levels across the city.

Radon Distribution and Emanation Maps*

Radon Fact Sheet

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