Radon in Schools

Short-term (3-7 days) charcoal-based radon test kits are recommended for school testing. Many test kits will be needed to cover testing areas for the building. Test kits may be purchased through state radon programs or the American Lung Association at Lung.org/radon-test. 

Some states require a licensed person to do the testing or manage the testing onsite. Some states may allow school staff to do the testing without a credential. Even if there are no requirements in your state, it is recommended to use a certified professional or have school staff get certified. Many states also require radon professionals to be licensed. You can find radon measurement professionals by contacting your state’s radon program.

Staff member or representative of your school district can become certified by completing training and exam requirements as outlined by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or National Radon Safety Board (NRSB).

• The best time for testing is between November 1 and March 31. These are colder months when the building’s HVAC system is running, which helps assess radon levels in normal conditions.
• Test on school days, when students occupy the building, not during weekends or holidays.
• Testing from Monday through Thursday is recommended, with overnight shipping so the devices are analyzed on Friday.
• Test when HVAC maintenance and filter changes are current.
• Schools should be tested every five (5) years if the initial radon level is under 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter of air). Test sooner if there are significant changes that affect radon levels, such as soil, HVAC system or foundation. Test sooner if untested areas start to be occupied. If a mitigation system is installed, radon testing should be conducted within 24 hours – 30 days from the installation and then every two (2) years.

Test under closed building conditions, meaning heating and cooling systems are set to normal occupied operating conditions and windows and doors are closed on all levels of the building (except momentary entry and exit). 

• Testing is conducted in every occupied, or intended to be occupied, space that has floor or wall contact with the ground. This includes all classrooms, offices, gyms, cafeterias and industrial arts rooms on the ground level. Also test rooms above untested areas that are not habitable, such as above tunnels, crawl spaces and garages. Deploy all radon test kits at the same time. 
• Plan for one radon test kit for 10% of randomly selected occupied rooms on each upper floor. 
• Plan for one radon test kit for every 2000 square feet of large, open spaces, such as cafeterias, lobbies and gyms. 
• For schools with moveable walls, place the walls in their fully extended position and test each section. 
• Test all modular/portable classrooms. 
• Quality control tests (called blanks, duplicates and spikes) will be needed. 
• Place radon test kits where they will not be disturbed. Place at least three (3) feet from doors and windows to the outside, at least one (1) foot from exterior walls and between two (2) and six (6) feet from the floor. Also, place the test kits away from drafts, furnace vents, humidifiers and direct sunlight.