Objectives of the4-H Radon Project•To encourage all 4-H families to test their

homes for radon•To encourage 4-H members to talk to others

in their community about testing for radon•To encourage action to lower high radon

levels

In this project, you will learn:

•Where radon comes from•How radon gets into houses•The risks presented by radon decay

products•How to test for radon•How to prevent radon from entering your

house

Radon is an odorless, colorless, tastelessgas that is found in nature. It can accumulatein many homes and other buildings in ourstate and can be a health hazard for you andyour family. To fully understand how radongas can be a problem, we will have to travelseveral billion years back in time!

4IA-01OO

4-H RadonProject Manual

2

Uranium: Where It All BeginsRadon is a product of a lengthy process that begins with

uranium, a radioactive element that was present when theearth was formed and is still present today in most rocksand soils. Uranium, like otherradioactive elements, goesthrough a process calledradioactive decay. Whenuranium decays,radium is formed.Radium alsoundergoesradioactive decay,producing radongas. When radongas decays, radon decayproducts—also called radondaughters—are produced.

The chart to the right shows theradioactive decay process ofuranium. The shaded circles in thechart are the decay products, ordaughters, of radon gas. As youcan see from the chart, theseradon daughters release highenergy alpha particles. Thesealpha particles can be veryharmful to people.

The shadedcirclesrepresentradondaughters.

3

Hey! Who areYOU? Andwhat are youdoing in myhouse?

Oh Timmy, you know MEdon’t you? I’m Mr. Don!Ray Don!, but you cancall me uncle Ray.My daughters andI came in througha crack in yourbasement floor.We just want tobe friends.

Radon Daughters: Bad News for Our Lungs!Radon is an inert gas—which means it

doesn’t do anything! We inhale and exhalemost of the gas without causing harm to ourlungs. However, radon daughters are particlesand can attach themselves to furniture, TVsets and, more important, to dust or otherparticles in the air.

When we breathe, radon daughters,whether they are attached to dust or bythemselves, may become trapped in ourlungs. As the radon daughters continue todecay, they release alpha particles which emitsmall bursts of energy. These small bursts ofenergy can damage lung tissue and possiblylead to lung cancer.

4

RADON! Welearned aboutyou in school!You’re BAD!

Although scientists still cannot predicthealth risks, many agree that it is best toreduce our exposure to radon daughters. Ourrisk of developing lung cancer from exposureto radon daughters depends on two factors:

1.The radon daughter concentration in the airwe breathe and

2.The length of time we spend breathing aircontaining radon daughters.

In general, the risk becomes greater as theconcentration of radon daughters and theamount of time we are exposed to themincrease.

Does Kentucky Havea Radon Problem?

Our state has regions of black shale rockdeposits and other soil geology containinguranium and radium where radon may befound. So far, state and federal agencieshave determined that 17 to 25% of Kentuckyhouses have radon levels above theacceptable limit. Not all houses or buildings,even those in the same area, have the sameradon level. In fact, one house may have alow level that is considered acceptable whilethe house next door may have anunacceptably high level. The only way to findout what the radon level is in your house is totest for it. We will be learning more abouttesting for radon later in this booklet.

• Design a bulletin board at your school,local grocery, or hardware store. Make surethat it gets people’s attention with amessage that makes them want to test theirhomes for radon.

• Make a radon poster to display in a placethat many people will notice. Use the posterto tell people about the health problemsrelated to radon levels in their homes.

Community Pride Activity

Timmy needs your help!

5

You get in people’slungs and causeCANCER!

How Could RadonGet into My House?

Because radon is a gas, it moves throughsmall spaces in the soil and rock on whichour houses are built. Radon can seep into ahouse through dirt floors, crawl spaces,cracks in concrete floors and walls, floordrains, sumps, joints, and tiny cracks orpores in hollow-block walls.

Radon can also be pulled into a housewhen fans and dryers pull air out of thehouse, creating a negative air pressureinside. When a negative air pressure iscreated, air and radon gas from outside aredrawn into the house. Weather conditionsmay also influence radon entry. When thetemperature is colder outside than inside yourhouse, the warmer indoor air is lighter andtends to float upward. This air movementcreates a negative air pressure in the lowerpart of the house, drawing air and radon gasinside.

Radon usually mixes with air as it moves upin a building and thus becomes lessconcentrated. Radon measurements made inbasements are usually higher than thosemade on the first floor. Radon measurementson the second floor and above may be evenless than those on the first floor, dependingon the heating and cooling system in thebuilding, air movement, and other factors.

• Prepare a 4-H demonstration for yourclass, 4-H club, or community event suchas Earth Day, health or science fairs, orEnvironmental Camp. In yourdemonstration, show others how easy it isto test for radon and tell them how toprevent radon from entering their homes.

• Prepare a 4-H speech for your class, 4-Hclub, or other community event. Tell peoplewhat you have learned about radon andencourage them to test their homes.

Community Pride Activity

Timmy needs your help!

6

How is RadonConcentrationMeasured?

While radon daughters pose the actualhealth threat, it is easier and less expensiveto measure the radon gas concentration in ahome.

Radon gas is commonly measured inpicocuries per liter of air (pCi/l). Thismeasurement tells us the number ofradioactive disintegrations per second in oneliter of air (a liter is about a quart). The UnitedStates Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)has established a guideline of 4 pCi/l ofannual average radon exposure as anacceptable health risk.

I TOLD MY PARENTSABOUT YOU!!

YES!, but like mostadults they didn’tlisten to your little“words of wisdom”,did they?

What’s a “Curie”?Radioactivity is expressed in units calledcuries, after Marie and Pierre Curie, whowere pioneers in the field. A curie is ameasure of the number of atomsdisintegrating per second in radioactivematerial. One curie is equal to 37 billiondisintegrations per second. If the amountof radioactivity is small, scientists use apicocurie which is one-trillionth of a curie,or .037 disintegrations per second.

7

How Can I Measurethe RadonConcentration in MyHouse?

You will need a special kit designed tomeasure radon levels. These inexpensive andeasy-to-use kits can be found in mosthardware stores and drugstores. You willprobably want to ask an adult to help youselect and use one of them. The mostpopular commercially available radon test kitsare the charcoal canister or bag and thealpha track detector.

Charcoal test kits are often used formaking short-term measurements of four toseven days. Because radon levels changefrom day to day depending on weatherconditions or other factors, long-term testsmore accurately measure the amount ofradon your family is being exposed to. Long-term measurements are usually made withalpha track detectors, which can be used forthree to twelve months. Both kits reportmeasurements in picocuries per liter (pCi/l)of radon gas. Most radon test kits will provide

information with your results to help youunderstand the test measurement.

Winter is the best time to test for radonbecause levels may be at their highest whenthe house is closed up tightly. To get themost accurate measure of your family’sexposure to radon, you should place thetesting device in the lowest part of yourhouse where your family spends the mosttime, such as a family room or bedrooms.

• Help staff a radon exhibit at a local mall,health conference or fair, county fair, orother event. Be informed about radon andshare your information with others. Haveradon test kits available for people topurchase, or let them know where they canobtain a kit in your community.

Community Pride Activity

Timmy needs your help!

Face facts, Tim. Theyjust don’t believe in me.Oh we’ll havefun, just you and me...and my daughters!

8

Your...daughters?...you mean...

What If My HouseHas a High RadonLevel?

There are several ways to lower the radonlevel in your house. One method is to sealwith caulk all cracks or holes in the walls andfloors of the lowest levels of the house tokeep the radon from entering. If, after sealingall cracks and holes, the radon level is stillhigh, your family may need to hire a personwho is trained to lower radon levels in housesand buildings. This person is called a “radonmitigator.”

The mitigator’s job is to seal off radon entrypoints, or remove the radon gas after it hasalready entered. Because of special methodsand skills involved, it is recommended thatyour family use only EPA-approved mitigatorsto fix your home!

To remove radon from your house, themitigator may install a plastic pipe thatextends upward through the roof so thatradon can go up the pipe and exit into theoutside air where it is quickly diluted. Thepipe is usually hidden in a wall or in a placewhere it cannot be easily seen. Often, a smallfan is placed in the pipe to help move theradon outside.

Remember, radon levels can be reduced inyour home, making it a safer place to workand play.

• Scout your local hardware stores,groceries, and department stores to checkon the availability of radon test kits. Letpeople in your community know where thesekits are available. You might also check withyour local county Extension office, healthdepartment, or other public agencies whomay have the kits at a reduced cost.

Community Pride Activity

GIRLS?!!

Timmy needs your help!

9

Words to Think AboutBelow are some the words scientists use when they talk about radon gas. Can you pronounceall the words? If not, maybe your teacher or an adult in your family can help you.

Alpha Particle: A small particle emitted when radioactive elements go through a process calledradioactive decay.

Charcoal Test Kit: A flat metal can or foil bag that contains special charcoal which canmeasure radon concentration.

Curie: Radioactivity is expressed in units called curies, after Marie and Pierre Curie, who werepioneers in the field. A curie is a measure of the number of atoms disintegrating per second inradioactive material.

Daughters: Radioactive decay products (see chart on page 2)

Detector: This is a name for the tool used to measure the amount of radon gas in a room. Thecharcoal canister and alpha track tests are “detectors.”

Liter: This is a unit of measurement used to describe an amount of gas or liquid. One liter isabout equal to one quart. For example, an empty one-quart milk container holds about one literof air.

Lung Cancer: This is a disease which may be caused if you breathe elevated levels of radon fora long time.

Mitigation: Mitigation is the process of getting the radon gas out of a house or a room. Aperson who works to get radon out of a house or schoolroom is called a mitigator.

Picocurie: This is a very small unit of radiation measurement. It is written pCi/l. The number ofradon particles in one liter of air in a room is measured this way. The U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency has suggested that there should be no more than four picocuries of radongas per liter of air in a room. This number is obtained by using a detector.

Radon: A colorless, odorless, tasteless gas which occurs in nature. It is produced by theradioactive decay of uranium and radium in the earth’s crust. (See radon decay chart on page 2.)

Test (measurement): When a detector is placed in a room to measure the amount of radon inthe room, it is called a test.

10

In ReviewRadon is a gas which you cannot see, feel,smell or taste and that is produced bynature. If someone told you that they saw aradon cloud, would you believe them?

Answer:__________________________________

Radon can get into your house throughcracks in the floor or basement walls. It canalso get in through drains in the floor orthrough the openings around pipes. How doyou stop the radon from entering throughthese areas?

Answer:__________________________________

Houses can be tested for radon. What arethree commonly used types of detectorswhich are used to show if there is radon inyour house?

Answer: ________________________________

Answer: ________________________________

Answer: ________________________________

There are several ways that can be used toget radon out of your house. What is one ofthe simplest ways to get radon out of ahouse?

Answer: ________________________________

Radon can make you sick. What part of thebody can get sick?

Answer: ________________________________

What is the name of the disease?

Answer: ________________________________

Acknowledgements

This 4-H Radon Project Book is madeavailable through the cooperation of severalorganizations which provided invaluableassistance by contributing their time, ideas,and advice:

The United States Environmental Protection AgencyKentucky Cabinet for Human ResourcesDepartment for Health ServicesDivision of Community SafetyRadiation Control Branch

University of KentuckyCollege of AgricultureCooperative Extension Service4-H Programs and Ag Communications Services

Special thanks to the Arizona Radiation RegulatoryAgency and the Arizona Department of Real Estate forthe use of parts of their publication, “The RadonStudent Activity Book.”

Coordinated by Susannah Denomme, Extension Associatefor 4-H Radon Program.

This 4-H project book was developed and produced by the aboveorganizations using information provided by the U.S. EnvironmentalProtection Agency. These organizations strive to provide accurate,complete, and useful information. However, neither the agencies, norother persons contributing to or assisting the preparation of thisbooklet—nor any person acting on the behalf of these parties—makeany warranty, guarantee, or representation (express or implied) withrespect to the usefulness or effectiveness of any information, method,or process disclosed in this material or assumes any liability for theuse of—or damages arising from the use of—any information, method,or process disclosed in this material.

11

Radon Word Scramble

Unscramble the words, write them in the spaces to the right, and figure out who to call whenyou have a radon problem. If you have trouble figuring out what the words are, look at the"Words to Think About" on page 9 or the words at the bottom of page 12.

RNIAUUM _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

STANICRE _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

MTAO _____ _____ _____

GATNIIMOTI _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

GNUL ARCCEN _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

_____

ORADN _____ _____ _____ _____

ECETTORD _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

IOCCPUIER _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

TRIPCELA _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____ _____

Who do you call when you have a radon problem? Take the letters from the boxes on each lineand write them in the boxes below.

You call a !

12

The Radon Word Search

P A R X B I G B R P W K M D CA J A L P H A L G X A F Q H ER B Q F R A O F A K V S A B VT N M H A E I C S B Q R G F XI T K X D A V Q A L C M G L ZC H R J O H M V C O P K U H CL Y J E N O I T A I D E M E RE T R N C G O L J V F N H H OB D Y Z U N N D E T E C T O RC M I T I G A T I O N D I U OC O P A M Z M C T W I J J S TK S D R T Y L T G K Z E R E IS E E L S Y O W D N I C E R NA P M Y E U F I P C U W S H OE S R E T S I N A C E L D U M

Find these radon wordsALPHACANISTERDETECTORGAS

HOUSELUNG CANCERMITIGATIONMONITOR

PARTICLERADONTEST

Find the hidden words in the RADON WORD SEARCH below!

13

How Can Radon Make Me Sick?To see where radon can make you sick, connect the dots that have a number (1, 2, 3, and so on) nextto them in the picture below.

14

The Great Escape

15

4-H Radon RecordComplete this record and turn it in when you have completed this project.

Name _____________________________________________________________________________ Birth Date___________________

Address ___________________________________________________________________________ County______________________

Number of Years in 4-H __________ Name of Club (Class)_____________________________________________________________

Name(s) of my Leader(s)/Teacher__________________________________________________________________________________

Did You...

Y NTalk to your parents or guardians about testing your home for radon?

Test your own home for radon?

Encourage action if high levels of radon were found?

Talk to others in your neighborhood about testing for radon?

Answer the following questions about radon:

1. What is radon?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Why is it dangerous to breath air with high levels of radon?

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What percentage of homes in Kentucky have been found with high radon levels?

________________________________________

4. How can radon enter a home?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What should you do if your home has high levels of radon?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. How can you make your neighborhood and community more aware of the health risk associated with breathing elevatedlevels of radon?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Keep a Record of How You Shared Your Information

What You Showed How Many DidHow to Do Where Shared You Show It To?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Project Story. Use this space to write about your 4-H radon project. What are some of the actions you took as a result oflearning more about radon? What are some of the things you learned?

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________County Agent’s Signature 4-H Leader’s Signature

______________________________________________________Parent’s Signature

Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, age, sex, religion, disability, or national origin.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, C. Oran Little,Director of Cooperative Extension Service, University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Lexington, and Kentucky State University, Frankfort. Copyright © 1997by the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. This publication may be reproduced in portions or its entirety for educational or non-profitpurposes only. Permitted users shall give credit to the author(s) and include this copyright notice.

Issued 1-93, 15M; 6-94, 10M