I apologize for the length of time since the last post, there have been many activities with kids, and life stuff that has been occupying time. A few days have even been occupied in training for the position of Councilman as well.
Many years ago, I was certified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency's Radon Measurement Proficiency Program Certification #139806T. This was a vigorous process that required much study and a test but was required of anyone wishing to conduct radon testing in homes or businesses, or be involved with radon mitigation strategies such as sub-slab depressurization.
Radon is the second largest cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking. Delmont, because of our geological substructure structure, has higher than normal radon levels. It is not just Delmont, but Pennsylvania as a whole. In fact, Radon was originally discovered in the Eastern portion of Pennsylvania. I think it was at the Susquehanna nuclear power plant, one of the nuclear power plants out east, workers were arriving to start their shifts and setting off the radiation detectors at the power plant. These were the same workers who went home with no radiation detected at the end of their shifts.Naturally, this phenomenon was alarming to the nuclear regulators and industry because the needed to find the source. It was discovered that radon, a naturally occurring, odorless, colorless, tasteless gas was responsible. Radon is produced in natural decay of uranium and has a half-life of 3.84 days. The danger from radon is the alpha particle emission in the decay process. Although, the alpha particle can be stopped with a sheet of paper, it becomes dangerous when inhaled and damages the soft tissue of the lungs. Radon can also diffuse into water and be re-released into the air when the water turns into a mist, like in a hot shower for example. Radon gas will follow natural openings in the ground and buildings.
The question I was asked is, "If there was nuclear waste on the speedway property 1) wouldn't it raise the radon levels all over Delmont, and 2) Wouldn't they test for radon before the property was transferred? In response to question 1, It is highly unlikely that a potential localized source would find open pathways underground that would diffuse throughout the Borough. Equal distribution of the diffused gas would be an impossibility. I would say buildings in a close proximity would have a higher probability of experiencing an increased radon level. However, it depends on the composition of the potential waste. It would have to be known at what level of decay the daughter particles are in as well as the state of original substance disposed. (U236,, U238, Plutonium). More important is determining where the waste is and what it is.
The answer to the second question is much simpler. No. Radon testing is conducted when buildings are involved in the transfer of real estate. If there is radio active waste on the site, and the location of the buildings would be constructed in close proximity to the waste, or adjacent to openings the gas can move through, I would bet the radon level in that building dwarf any readings in other buildings in Delmont. It could produce a harmful level of radon, especially for those exposed to it all day. Trying to test for radon in an open setting is counter-productive because it is a naturally occurring gas and it is inside concentrations that increase risk.
I would urge all citizens of Delmont to test for radon especially if you have small children. The higher levels of radon contamination are generally in the lower floors, and basement.
PA DEP information http://www.dep.pa.gov/Business/RadiationProtection/RadonDivision/Monitoring/Pages/Publications.aspx#.Vu1dLpwrKUk
US EPA information https://www.epa.gov/radon
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