Day Care Radon Testing
Radon testing at a day care center is a necessity for health and safety. Radiation levels in the air are harmful and should be kept below the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L. This level is considered unsafe for children’s respiratory systems. Radon mitigation services can lower the concentration of radon and provide safer air for children.
How important is a Radon mitigation?
Day Care Radon Testing is required in every room of a day care center, and must be conducted at least 48 hours before children enter. It is best to schedule the testing on weekdays when children are not present, as the air handling system is closed for a large portion of the day. After the testing is complete, it is important to report any high radon levels to the Office of Children and Family Services.
The Canadian Cancer Society, in collaboration with the Manitoba government, has a program that encourages child care facilities to test for radon levels. It has found that nearly all child care facilities recruited for the initiative successfully completed radon testing. The province’s ministry of health and the ministry of families also provided up-front funding to remediate radon-infested buildings.
The EPA recommends that day care centers get radon testing done at least every 5 years. It is also recommended that new daycare centers should be tested within six months of occupancy. This process is simple and inexpensive, and can be completed in just a few minutes. And the best part is, it doesn’t affect daycare activities and can be done without interrupting the daycare’s daily operations.