State Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, is reintroducing legislation that would require radon testing in schools, as well as educate and inform parents and guardians of the levels of radon gas in their child’s classroom.
According to Briggs,
More than five years ago, Howe Elementary School in Mt. Lebanon had radon levels three times the EPA limits: about 15.6 picocuries per liter in the cafeteria. However, some parents said the school district never told them about it.
Briggs' legislation would require school districts to contact all parents in writing about radon testing, if there was testing, and if so, share the results by June 30, 2014. If the legislation is passed, all school buildings would be required to complete a radon gas test. In addition,
...any newly constructed school buildings would have to be tested within 19 months of the date of occupancy, and any remodeled school buildings would be retested within 19 months of completion of the remodeling. In addition, the bill would require these tests to be completed every five years from the date of the initial test.
Through a Google search, I found that the School Board voted for radon mitigation for the high school in August 2010. Also, a letter from Dr. Steinhauer was posted by Mike Madison over on Blog Lebo, Parents Say School Failed To Warn Of Dangerous Gas. In his letter, Dr. Steinhauer indicated that he directed the Facilities Department to develop a testing and reporting protocol for radon in our schools. I hope the testing and reporting protocol will be revised to include retesting of the high school within 19 months of completion of each building.
