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High-school radon tests show low readings; district to continue rotating testing
Summary
ISD 624 reported results of three-day radon testing at White Bear Area High School: none of the measured locations exceeded 1.9 picocuries per liter, well under the 4 pCi/L action level. The district will test four other buildings next year under its five-year rotation and will perform spot testing on complaint-driven concerns as needed.
The school district reported low radon readings from recent three-day tests at White Bear Area High School and said it will continue a five-year rotating testing schedule across district buildings.
Kevin Klecker, the district's emergency and safety supervisor, told the board that radon testing is part of a broader health-and-safety program that also includes lead and water testing. "Radon is... colorless, it's odorless, it seeps into the ground," Klecker said. "Long term exposure is actually the second leading cause of lung cancer." He explained that the district uses the Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA) and an accredited third-party lab for testing.
The district placed 331 test kits in 273 locations for a short-term (three-day) test; of the 266 tests that produced valid results, the highest reading was 1.9 picocuries per liter and many results were far lower. Klecker noted the Environmental Protection Agency's commonly referenced action level of 4 picocuries per liter: "Anything over 4 picocuries per liter would be an actionable amount," he said.
Klecker said the district is following Minnesota Department of Health and EPA guidance and will test Central, Mariner, Northstar and Sunrise Park next year as part of normal rotation. He also told the board that the district can perform spot tests (for example, if staff report indoor-air concerns) and that their main partner for industrial-hygiene work is IEA, which employs certified industrial hygienists.
Board members asked whether the district had ever recorded an actionable radon issue; Klecker said not since he has been managing the program and that earlier pandemic interruptions had temporarily paused routine testing.
Ending: With current high-school readings below action levels, the district reported no mitigation measures are needed at present; testing will continue on the five-year rotation and as-needed spot checks will be used when concerns arise.
