NV Energy learns about radon

Transcription

1 NEVADA A RADON REPORT Inside this Report Page NV Energy Safety Program 1 Carson Valley Middle School 1 NBMG Open House 1 RCI program 2 Senior Dimensions 2 Frontier Community Coalition 3 Radon in newsletters 3 Test kit distribution data 4 Radon in the news 5 Radon on the internet 6-7 Program numbers 8 Radon Program Impacts 8 State test results summaries 9 A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM THROUGH THE NEVADA DIVISION of PUBLIC and BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Volume 9 - Number 2 - FY 2016 October through December 2015 NV Energy learns about radon The Nevada Radon Education Program spoke at NV Energy s All-Employee Safety Meeting Oct. 15, in Reno. Program Director, Susan Howe, introduced the Nevada Radon Education Program and Radon Education Coordinator, Jamie Roice-Gomes, to the 69 employees who attended the program. Roice-Gomes defined radon, discussed the radon health risks and how to test for and fix a CVMS students learn about radon & contest The Nevada Radon Education Program lectured to 227 8th graders from Lin Falkner and Michelle Norris science classes at Carson Valley Middle School Students on Oct. 6. Following an educational PowerPoint ranging from the radon health risk, radon at the atomic level to radon testing, the children learned about the upcoming 2016 Nevada Radon Poster Contest and played Radon Bingo for radon swag prizes. It s fun to see how genuinely enthusiastic the children are to participate and learn about radon and play Radon Bingo, Roice-Gomes said. Many are also interested in the 2016 Nevada Radon Poster Contest to win cash, too.» continued, See CVMS, Page 2 Students in the Earth Science classes at Carson Valley Middle School earned prizes playing the radon quiz and bingo games after listening to radon presentations. NevadaRadonEducation Program Radon Jamie Roice-Gomes presented the radon program to 69 NV Energy employees at their monthly Employee Safety Meeting, on Oct. 15, in Reno. home in a 45-minute PowerPoint presentation. Following the presentation, Howe informed employees of future possible» continued, NV ENERGY, Page 2 NV Bureau of Mines & Geology holds annual Open House Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology held its annual Open House on two evenings, Oct. 27 and 28, at the Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library. The Nevada Radon Education Program (NREP) was invited to participate with an exhibit booth, and they handed out free radon test kits and educational material both nights. Susan Howe and Jamie Roice-Gomes informed attendees about radon and how geology can play a part in raising radon concentrations. They also participated in a children s scavenger hunt to raise awareness of NBMG services and radon. Open House attendees were treated to several activities including a tour of the Great Basin Science Sample and Records Library, a time lapse display of different earthquakes that occurred in Nevada, a web and mobile application that enables citizens to understand and prepare for natural disasters and geologic hazards, lectures by various geologists and much more. The Open House was kid-friendly as children could join a scavenger hunt to interact with geologists, NBMG Open House visitors it were able to receive free» continued, See NBMG, Page 2 test kits and ask questions during the two-night event.

2 Page 2 NREP presents to Resource Concepts, Inc. in Carson City On Nov. 4, the Nevada Radon Education Program gave a presentation to 11 employees from Resource Concepts Inc. in Carson City. Resource Concepts Inc. is a multidisciplinary consulting firm that integrates engineering, environmental services and natural resources expertise. Roice-Gomes gave the radon health risk presentation and Norm Denny, a certified radon mitigator, Pinnacle Construction Consultants, presented radon mitigation information. NREP gave 14 radon test kits to the employees, who were also interested in testing their work area. Jamie Roice-Gomes, Radon Education Coordinator, presented a program to employees at Resource Concepts, Inc., on Nov. 4, in Carson City. NV ENERGY Continued from Page 1 radon presentation opportunities, and asked for help to raise radon awareness via employee newsletters or other future events. Following the lecture, about 71 free radon test kits were. A month after the presentation, Roice-Gomes received an encouraging stating, the Radon presentation was a popular topic among employees. Since the topic was interesting, NREP requested to display a free test kits and presentations flyer on the NV Energy website for employees, statewide to view and NV Energy graciously accepted. As a result of posting information to the website, NV Energy employees from Southern Nevada attended the radon presentation and obtained free radon test kits during National Radon Action Month. NBMG Continued from Page 1 the radon program, play Rock Bingo and make pet rocks from the rock orphanage. Since radon comes from the decay of uranium found naturally in the earth, what better partnership than to have the Nevada Radon Education Program collaborate with the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Open House? Roice-Gomes said. At the open house, I was interested to learn that I live on a possible fault which, among other things, could contribute to the elevated radon concentrations in my area. According to the Open House flyer, Nevada is richly endowed with natural resources and has more gold and geothermal resources than any other state, but our evolving landscapes also make Nevada prone to natural hazards, including earthquakes, floods and landslides. During the two Open House dates, about 40 people visited the radon booth and 32 radon test kits were. NREP provides free radon kits to seniors On Nov. 19, 2015 the Nevada Radon Education Program held a booth at the Senior Dimensions Fall Health Fair at the Grand Sierra Resort. Vendors participating in the event included American Cancer Society, Senior Dimensions Clinical Pharmacists, Sanford Center for Aging, Aria School of Music and Art, Alzheimer s Association, Renown, St. Mary s and many more. At least 63 seniors and other attendees visited the NREP booth and 54 test kits were given to attendees. Jamie Roice-Gomes talks to a Senior Dimensions Health Fair attendee about radon. CVMS Continued from Page 1 Students also got the opportunity to test for radon in their homes for extra credit. Accoding to records, of the 109 kits to students, 28 received extra credit. The Radon Poster Contest deadline was Oct. 31, and 75 posters were received from Mrs. Falkner s class and 64 from Mrs. Norris class. Jamie Roice-Gomes presents a PowerPoint presentation the radon health risk message to CVMS students. Susan Howe and teacher, Lin Falkner, directed Radon Bingo with students in Earth Science classes at Carson Valley Middle School.

3 Volume 9 - Number 2 - FY 2016 Page 3 Radon program presents radon message to Frontier Community Coalition in Lovelock On Nov. 16, Nevada Radon Education Program (NREP) and Nevada Comprehensive Cancer Control Program employees spoke to 25 members attending the Frontier Community Coalition meeting to increase radon awareness and testing in the highest radon potential county in Nevada. In Pershing County, 56 percent of homes found elevated radon concentrations, making the county the highest for radon concentrations in Nevada. Lily Helzer, Comprehensive Cancer Control Coordinator, and Shannon Bennett, Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion, Policy & Systems Manager, Division of Public and Behavioral Health, aided NREP in presenting the radon message to the Frontier Community Coalition. Following a PowerPoint presentation performed by Jamie Roice-Gomes and Susan Howe, Helzer and Bennett urged the group to take action in efforts to reduce the risk of radon-caused lung cancer. The Frontier Community Coalition is a non-profit organization dedicated to reduce substance abuse in Humboldt, Lander and Pershing counties by creating a place where family, peers, and the community support every person and where everyone can receive all that he or she needs to be safe, healthy, substance free, educated and a contributing member of the community. A total of 27 radon test kits were given to attendees. Members of the Frontier Community Coalition met Nov. 16 at the Pershing County Community Center. They invited the Nevada Radon Education Program to give a presentation on the Radon Health Risk. Jamie Roice-Gomes is pictured presenting a portion of the program. Radon in newsletters... Nov. 19, 2015 State of Nevada - Daily Situation Report December 2015 Nevada Wellness e-blast Nov. 19, 2015 NSHE E-News Dec. 1, 2015 NSHE E-News Dec. 22, 2015 NSHE E-News

4 Page 4 Radon test kit distribution data by point of distribution The following charts indicate that 1,112 short-term test kits were at events, by mail order requests, special projects and at Cooperative Extension and partner offices during the October through December quarter. The percentage columns represent the usage or testing success rate within the activity or test kit distribution location. At least 261 test kits, or 23.5 percent, of those during the quarter, were used as of Dec. 31. Special Projects, Partners and Cooperative Exension offices Partners, Cooperative Extension offices, and special projects provided a total distribution of 670 short-term radon test kits. The short-term test kits that were picked up at Cooperative Extension and partner offices, or through individuals or groups amounted to 95.5 percent of the total number of kits given out in the quarter. Of those kits, about 28 percent were used. The American Lung Association in Northern Nevada, Storey County Library, two radon mitigators, Norm Denny and Jim Gorman, and Lily Helzer, Chronic Disease A kit is given to a resident at the Washoe County Cooperative Extension office where at least 393 radon kits were between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31. The Washoe County office led in number of kits in the state. Short-term test kits from Special Projects, Partners and Cooperative Extension offices from October - December 2015 Distribution point Prevention Coordinator, also helped NREP distribute test kits. The Washoe County Cooperative Extension office 393 short-term kits this quarter, more than any other office. Partnerships with Incline Village Recreation Center, Nevada No. kits No. % Carson City County Cooperative Extension % Churchill County Cooperative Extension 4 0 0% Clark County Cooperative Extension % - NE Clark Cooperative Extension % Douglas County Cooperative Extension % - Nevada Tahoe Conservation District % - Tahoe Regional Planning Agency 1 0 0% Elko County Cooperative Extension % Humboldt County Cooperative Extension % Lander County Cooperative Extension % Lyon County Cooperative Extension % Mineral County Cooperative Extension % Southern Nye County Cooperative Extension % Pershing County Cooperative Extension % Storey County Library % Washoe County Cooperative Extension % - Incline Village Recreation Center % White Pine County Cooperative Extension % Mitigator Norm Denny kit distribution % Mitigator Jim Gorman distribution % American Lung Association Month Project % Comprehensive Cancer Control Coord. distribution % TOTALS % Tahoe Conservation District and Tahoe Regional Planning Agency continue to be great resource locations for local residents. NREP collaborated with the Northern Nevada American Lung Association via a Facebook message providing free test kits in November, Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Five test kits were given out through the special promotion. In November, during Lung Cancer Awareness Statewide program Month, NREP collaborated with the Northern presentations and Nevada American Lung Association via Facebook. events NREP gave 373 test kits during 10 radon program presentations and events and at least 53 kits were used by Dec. 31, which is a 15 percent usage rate. Mail order requests NREP received 69 requests for test kits by mail: 35 by phone, 16 using website coupons, 8 via Eventbrite online ordering, and 10 by various coupon sources. Fifteen or 22 percent were used by Dec. 31. Short-term test kits by Mail with Coupons, Phone, or Online orders from October - December 2015 Distribution point No. kits Date Short-term test kits at Programs and Events from October - December 2015 Program No. kits No. No. % 10/6/15 Carson Valley Middle School Program % 10/15/15 NV Energy Program % 10/28/15 NBMG Open House % 11/4/15 Resource Concepts, Inc. Program % 11/16/15 Frontier Community Coalition Program % 11/19/15 Senior Dimensions Health Fair % 12/7/15 IVGID board 7 0 0% 12/10/15 Sun Valley GID board 1 0 0% 12/16/15 White Pine County commissioners % 12/17/15 Washoe County Health District board % Program Totals % % Mail requests - by phone % Mail requests - Website cpn % Mail requests - Eventbrite online order % Mail requests - miscellaneous % Mail requests - Carson Valley Middle School % Mail request Field Day cpn % Mail request - ALA Lung Month cpn % Mail request - St. Mary's Pulmonary cpn % Mail request - Sparks library cpn % TOTALS %

5 Volume 9 - Number 2 - FY 2016 Page 5 Radon in the News... Dec. 18, 2015 Record-Courier Nov. 3, 2015 Record-Courier Oct. 17, 2015 Reno Gazette-Journal Nov. 26, 2015 Pahrump Mirror Dec. 9, 2015 Battle Mountain Bugle Dec. 3, 2015 Mineral County Independent News Dec. 5, 2015 Reno Gazette-Journal Dec. 3, 2015 Lovelock Review-Miner Dec. 4, 2015 Desert Valley Times Oct. 9, 2015 Lahontan Valley News Nov. 26, 2015 Elko Daily News Dec. 10, 2015 Las Vegas Review Journal Dec. 7, 2015 Reno Gazette-Journal

6 Page 6 Radon on the internet... laketahoenews.net mynews4.com rgj.com Foxreno.com nevadaappeal.com ClarkCountyNV.gov recordcourier.com unce.unr.edu/news ktvn.com ThisisReno.com carsonvalleytimes.com washoecounty.us unce.unr.edu/blogs/lyon-county nbmg.unr.edu

7 Volume 9 - Number 2 - FY 2016 Page 7 Radon on the internet & social media nnnp.org unr.edu/nevada-today/news ElkoDaily.com Facebook.com/NevadaRadonEducation/ ThisisReno.com radonleaders.org Facebook.com/NevadaRadonEducation/ ClarkCountyNV.gov carsonnow.org rgj.com facebook.com/ktvn laketahoenews.net myinforms.com reviewjournal.com/view carsonvalleytimes.com

8 Page 8 Radon Education Program Numbers UNCE Radon Program prior to Jul Oct FY 08 FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY 13 FY14 FY15 Sep 07 Sep 15 Dec 15 Numbers Totals Radon phone and inquiries 2,136 2,688 1,911 2,209 1,946 3,148 1,893 1, ,681 Direct contacts promoting radon testing and mitigation 3,259 14,000 10,428 7,862 7,768 8,416 9,205 9, ,401 72,801 Newspaper/magazine articles Radon publications/information 2,798 67,071 59,378 58,545 99, , , ,637 24,704 42, ,887 Radon exhibits TV reports TV PSAs ,237 Radio PSAs ,755 5,926 6, ,181 Website pages of NV Radon information , ,111 Eventbrite page views Website page hits 29,466 59,288 75,920 85, , , ,969 48, , ,300 Test kits 971 2,469 8,208 5,321 4,829 3,993 4,929 5,219 5, ,132 42,616 Homes -Short-Term 1,574 1,316 4,062 2,590 2,339 2,025 2,043 2,436 2, ,169 Homes -Long Term School buildings School buildings mitigated Homes mitigated Homes with repaired mitigation system or fan replacements Large buildings Large buildings mitigated Homes in Real Estate transaction ,434 Homes built with RRNC features Certified Mitigators Builders using RRNC Realtors promoting Radon testing County # Valid ST tests* Nevada Radon Education Program's Impact Data as of % Radon Potential of Usable ST Test Results* % kits /used** % Homes * % Mitigations # # Homes % Radon Homes > 4 pci/l Potential < 4 pci/l Average ST radon level pci/l Maximum ST radon level pci/l # long & shortterm test kits # test kits used % of test kits used # Households # Homes % Homes # Homes that need mitigated # Homes mitigated # Real Estate # RRNC # Homes in % Homes a real estate mitigated transaction Carson City 1, % ,345 2, % 23,464 1, % % Churchill % % 10, % % 11 3 Clark 2,311 2, % ,710 2, % 863,010 3, % % Douglas 3,496 2,116 1, % ,992 5, % 23,776 4, % 1, % Elko % % 20, % % 9 1 Esmeralda % % % 0 0 Eureka % % 1, % 8 0 0% 1 Humboldt % % 7, % % 4 2 Lander % % 2, % % 9 1 Lincoln % % 2, % % 1 Lyon % , % 22, % % Mineral % % 2, % % 4 Nye % % 21, % % 8 1 Pershing % % 2, % % 3 Storey % % 1, % 7 0 0% Washoe 7,776 6,079 1, % ,327 9, % 187,142 9, % 1, % White Pine % % 4, % % 6 1 Unknown % % % 2 17,621 12,984 4, % ,616 22, % 1,198,907 21, % 4, % *# Valid Tests and # Homes Tested: Data from the Nevada Radon Program's database of test results was combined with information provided from certified Radon Measurement and Mitigation Providers, as well as AccuStar Lab, Alpha Energy Laboratories, Pro Lab, Air Chek Inc., Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health- Radiation Control Program and the Washoe County District Health Department. The Household data is from 2014 Census data. **# Test kits Distributed: includes only short- and long-term tests by the Nevada Radon Education Program, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health- Radiation Control Program, and the Washoe County District Health Department. # Homes built RRNC

9 Volume 9 - Number 2 - FY 2016 Page 9 Nevada counties Total number of usable tests per county EPA Action Level <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 No. of short-term radon test results , ,116 1, % of homes that have elevated radon levels Nevada counties Total number of usable tests per county Eureka 26 Humboldt 189 Lander 109 Lincoln 73 Lyon 835 Mineral 89 EPA Action Level <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 No. of short-term radon test results % of homes that have elevated radon levels 30.77% 35.98% 16.51% 32.88% 29.34% 42.70% Nevada counties Total number of usable tests per county Nevada counties Nevada Radon Short-Term Test Results* From 1989 to December 31, 2015 Nevada Radon Long-Term Test Results** Carson City Carson City Churchill Clark Douglas Elko Esmeralda 1, ,311 3, % 14.70% 9.09% 39.47% 39.31% EPA Action Level <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 No. of short-term radon test results ,079 1, ,984 4,637 % of homes that have elevated radon levels 9.03% 55.97% 25.00% 21.82% 30.50% 26.32% From January 2001 to December 31, 2015 Churchill Clark Douglas Elko Humboldt Lander Lincoln Lyon Pershing Washoe Total number of usable tests per county EPA Action Level <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 No. of long-term radon test results % of homes that have high radon 58.5% 0% 18.4% 27.3% 44% 25.0% 100% 100% 20.6% 33.3% 26.5% 25.0% 29.32% levels White Pine TOTALS *Data for long-term results was cleaned for test results greater than the EPA protocol period, therefore, there are less results than last quarter. **State data provided by RSSI, Alpha Energy Laboratories and AccuStar Labs. Results based on independently homes, not scientific sampling. When known, post-mitigation results are not included and usable results are valid tests, one per home, using an average of multiple tests from the lowest level of the home. (Schools & large buildings not included.) Zones Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zones Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Radon Zone Summaries Nevada Radon Zone Short-Term Test Result Summary Total Tests Tests > 4 pci/l % high radon Counties Carson City, Douglas, Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, 6,467 2, % Pershing, White Pine Churchill, Elko, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Nye, Storey, Washoe 8,839 1, % Clark 2, % Statewide statistics 17,621 4, % Nevada Radon Zone Long-Term Test Result Summary Counties Carson City, Douglas, Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, White Pine Churchill, Elko, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Nye, Storey, Washoe Clark Total Tests Tests > 4 pci/l % high radon % % % Statewide statistics % sample size too small Nye Pershing Storey Washoe White Pine TOTALS , ,621 *State data provided by the Nevada State Health Division, Nevada certified radon testers and the following labs: AccuStar Labs, Alpha Energy Laboratories, Air Chek, Inc. and Pro Lab. Results based on independently homes, not scientific sampling. When known, post-mitigation results are not included and usable results are valid tests, one per home, using an average of multiple tests from the lowest level of the home. (Schools & large buildings not included.) The University of Nevada, Reno is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affi rmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or genetic information, gender identity, or gender expression in any program or activity it operates. The University of Nevada employs only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This publication is supported by the Nevada State Division of Public and Behavioral Health through Grant Number K from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the offi cial views of neither the Division nor the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.