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33 <br />How do I find out if my house has elevated levels of radon? <br />-Even if the radon level in your water appears high (above 300 pCi/L), the Division of <br />Radiation Protection of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources <br />recommends that you begin with testing the air in your home fast. This will help <br />determine whether the radon is being released in sufficient levels to be of concern. If <br />the air tests are high (over 4 pCi/L), then additional water sampling and testing can be <br />undertaken. The air sampling kits are simple for homeowners to do on their awn. <br />Where can I get the air and water testing kits? <br />The Division of Environmental Health Services at the Orange County Health Department <br />has radon air sampling canisters available at no charge for residents in areas where <br />there may be concern about high levels of indoor radon. A limited number of water <br />sample kits are also available through Environmental. Health. Staff will either collect the <br />water samples or help homeowners to self-collect water samples. You may also get air <br />testing and water testing kits through a list of distributors on the website at the bottom <br />of the page or by calling Orange County Health Department if you. do not have Internet <br />access. <br />What can be done if my home has elevated levels of radon? <br />Radon problems can sometimes be fixed by caulking cracks along basement <br />foundations, sealing leaks around pipes, or installing a pipe and fan system to vent the <br />radon away from beneath the house. If water is releasing a significant amount into the <br />indoor air space, water aeration or carbon filters that absorb the radon may help the <br />situation. There is a list of North Carolina organizations that specialize in radon <br />mitigation (radon reduction systems) on the website at the bottom of the page or by <br />calling Orange County Health Department if you do not have Internet access. <br />Where can I get more information? <br />There are several helpful websites on the Internet. The first one has specific <br />information for North Carolina. <br />• www.drp,enr,state.nc.us/nf&ers/radoninwater,htm <br />• www.ces.ncsu.edu de is fcs radon radonweek.htm <br />• www.epa.govLaa/radon/pubs/consguid.html <br />• www.epa.gov/safewater~radolnasdw.html <br />Call Ron Holdway or Tom Konsler with the Division of Environmental Health at the <br />Orange County Health Department for more information. <br />245-2360 <br />t~ <br />,~, <br />~ ~: <br />