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Radon Testing in Schools

Radon Testing in Schools

Información en español

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. Breathing high levels of radon over a long period can cause lung cancer. Radon can work its way into buildings, including homes and schools, through cracks in the ground and openings in foundations or under structures. You can’t see, smell, or taste radon. The only way to know if a building has elevated radon is to use specialized testing equipment.

To continue providing safe, healthy school facilities where students learn, grow and play, Eugene School District 4J completed testing of all buildings for radon in the 2018-19 school year in advance of the state deadline (January 1, 2021). The district will conduct radon tests as new school and office buildings open. See the results below. Testing for radon is required every 10 years.

The goal of the Oregon Healthy & Safe Schools Plan is to ensure radon levels are under 4.0 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), a limit set by the EPA.

The Eugene School District 4J Radon Plan is available here: 4J Radon Plan

If you have questions or concerns about radon in 4J schools please contact the district’s Facilities Department at (541) 790-7400.

  • The Environmental Protection Agency and the Oregon Health Authority recommend that where an initial short-term test indicates a radon level at or above 4.0 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), a follow-up measurement using a long-term test should be conducted. If the long-term measurement shows a level of radon above the recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L, EPA recommends taking corrective measures to reduce radon levels. 

     

    School

    Results

    Elementary Schools

     

    Adams Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Awbrey Park Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Buena Vista Spanish Immersion Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Charlemagne French Immersion Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Camas Ridge Elementary School

    No elevated levels (2024)

    Chávez Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Chávez Elementary School Portables

    No elevated levels

    Chinese Immersion Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Edgewood Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Edison Elementary School5

    Initial Testing (2/6/23) showed slightly elevated levels in PE Storage Room 191.  Remedial action occurred over spring break (3/27-3/31/23). Slab penetrations and slab joints were sealed. Long-term radon tests were administered on 4/11/23.  Test result of 1.3 pCi/L are below the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L.

    Family School

    No elevated levels

    McCornack Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Gilham Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Holt Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Howard Elementary School1

    Initial testing showed slightly elevated levels in room 138 (community room). Follow up long-term testing confirmed the results. Corrective action was performed and retesting confirmed that the issue is resolved.

    River Road/El Camino del Río Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Spring Creek Elementary School2

    Initial testing showed elevated levels in the staff room. Follow up long-term testing confirmed the results. Corrective action was performed and retesting showed lower levels, but additional corrective action required. Tests conducted after the additional effort confirmed that the issue is resolved.

    Twin Oaks Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Willagillespie Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Willard Swing School, 2855 Lincoln St.

    No elevated levels

    Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion Elementary School

    No elevated levels

    Middle Schools

     

    Arts & Technology Academy

    No elevated levels

    Cal Young Middle School

    No elevated levels

    Kelly Middle School

    No elevated levels

    Kelly Middle School Portables

    No elevated levels

    Kennedy Middle School

    No elevated levels

    Madison Middle School

    No elevated levels

    
Monroe Middle School

    No elevated levels

    Roosevelt Middle School

    No elevated levels

    Spencer Butte Middle School

    No elevated levels

    High Schools

     

    Churchill High School

    No elevated levels

    North Eugene High School

    No elevated levels

    North Eugene High School Softball Building

    No elevated levels

    Sheldon High School

    No elevated levels

    South Eugene High School

    No elevated levels

    Other

     

    4J Transportation Dept. Building

    No elevated levels

    4J Facilities Dept. Building

    No elevated levels

    4J Ed Center Building4

    Initial testing showed elevated levels in the custodial/grounds conference room, custodial equipment repair shop and TSS supervisor office. Follow-up long-term testing confirmed the elevated results only in the conference room and repair shop. Corrective action was performed and retesting confirmed that the issue is resolved.

    Bailey Hill Site

    No elevated levels

    Building 2120

    No elevated levels

    Coburg Community Charter School

    No elevated levels

    Fox Hollow Campus

    No elevated levels

    Hilliard House

    No elevated levels

     

    1Howard Elementary School, room 138 (community room): Long-term testing indicated levels at 4.3 and 4.0 pCi/L*, which are slightly above/at the recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L, requiring follow-up correction and re-testing. As recommended, a concrete slap seal was installed and follow-up short-term testing is scheduled for the 2021–22 school year.
    UPDATE (10-28-21): Remediation efforts were successful. No elevated levels of radon were detected in the post-remediation testing.
    2Spring Creek Elementary School, staff room: Long-term testing indicated levels at 6.7 and 7.6 pCi/L*, which are above the recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L, requiring follow-up correction and re-testing. As recommended, a correction on a slab joint was performed and follow-up short-term testing is scheduled for the 2021–22 school year.
    UPDATE (10-28-21): Initial remediation reduced radon levels, but follow-up testing showed slightly elevated radon levels at 4.4 and 4.5 pCi/L.* Additional remediation was performed—a couple of small pipe penetrations at the wall heater (inside the wall cavity) were sealed and  exhaust fan is programmed to run for two additional hours each day. Follow-up testing is planned.
    UPDATE (3-10-22): Additional remediation efforts were successful. No elevated levels of radon were detected in the post-remediation testing.
    44J Education Center:
    – TSS supervisor office: Long-term testing indicated levels below the recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L, thus no follow-up is necessary.
    – Custodial/grounds conference room: Long-term testing indicated levels at 7.9 and 8.2 pCi/L*, which are above the recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L, requiring follow-up correction and re-testing. Corrective action and follow-up short-term testing are scheduled for the 2021–22 school year. UPDATE (3-10-22): Remediation efforts were successful. No elevated levels of radon were detected in the post-remediation testing.
    – Custodial equipment repair shop: Long-term testing indicated levels at 6.0 and 4.3 pCi/L*, which are above the recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L, requiring follow-up correction and re-testing. Corrective action and follow-up short-term testing are scheduled for the 2021–22 school year. UPDATE (3-10-22): Remediation efforts were successful. No elevated levels of radon were detected in the post-remediation testing.

    5 Edison Elementary School, PE Storage and Office room 191: Short-term testing indicated levels of 4.1 pCi/L on 12/5/22 and 4.9 pCi/L on 2/6/23 (average of 2 test samples), which are slightly above the recommended action level of 4.0 pCi/L, requiring follow-up correction and re-testing.  Remedial action occurred over Spring Break 3/27/23- 3/31/23.  Slab penetrations and slab joints were sealed.  Long-term radon tests were administered on 4/11/23 and test results will be available in approximately 9 months, 1/11/24.

    *For context, the EPA recommends school officials consider relocating individuals in rooms that have radon levels near 100 pCi/L.


Pruebas de radón

Para continuar brindando instalaciones escolares seguras y saludables donde los estudiantes aprenden, crecen y juegan, el Distrito Escolar de Eugene 4J completó las pruebas de radón en todas las escuelas en el año escolar 2018-19.

El radón es un gas natural que proviene de la descomposición del uranio en el suelo y las rocas. Respirar altos niveles de radón durante un largo período de tiempo puede causar cáncer de pulmón. El radón puede penetrar en los edificios, incluidos los hogares y las escuelas, a través de grietas en el suelo y aberturas en los cimientos o debajo de las estructuras. No se puede ver, oler ni saborear el radón. La única forma de saber si un edificio tiene niveles elevados de radón es usar equipos de prueba especializados.

El distrito completó las pruebas de radón antes de los requisitos estatales; una ley estatal requería que todos los distritos de Oregón hicieran pruebas de detección de radón en los edificios escolares antes del 1 de enero de 2021. El objetivo del Plan de Escuelas Saludables y Seguras de Oregón es garantizar que los niveles de radón estén por debajo de 4,0 picocuries por litro de aire (pCi/L), una límite establecido por la EPA. Se requiere una prueba de radón cada 10 años.

El Plan de radón del Distrito Escolar de Eugene 4J está disponible aquí: Plan de radón de 4J

Si tiene preguntas o inquietudes sobre el radón en las escuelas de 4J, comuníquese con el Departamento de Instalaciones del distrito al (541) 790-7400.