Share:
House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | April 27, 2023 03:27 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Tim Briggs and Rep. Jason Ortitay |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Radioactive Gas "Radon" in Schools |
| Did you know that radon gas inhalation is the second-leading cause of lung cancer death in the United States? The accumulation of this gas from natural sources can occur in any building, but can be particularly concerning in confined spaces of large, public buildings such as schools . While not every school building is in an area prone to accumulation of radon gas, some schools have been tested and found to contain radon levels as much as eight times greater than that deemed dangerous by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Currently, the Commonwealth does not require school buildings to be tested for radon contamination. We will be introducing legislation shortly which would make sure a radon test is conducted in every school building at least once every five years. Furthermore, it would require that any newly constructed school buildings be tested within nineteen months of the date of occupancy, and any remodeled school buildings to be tested within nineteen months of completion of the remodeling. It would also further require parents to be notified in writing when their child’s school is tested for radon gas and what levels of radon contamination were found, if any. Please join us in protecting our children from the negative impact of radon gas inhalation |