As Washington prepares for expanded environmental health requirements under the updated School Environmental Health & Safety rules (WAC 246-370), radon testing is becoming a priority. Vancouver Public Schools is sharing its comprehensive approach to testing and mitigation, offering a useful model for both public and private school leaders.
Their program aims to test 20% of ground-contact classrooms every five years, following EPA and ANSI standards. Testing is best conducted in winter, when buildings are most tightly sealed and radon levels are highest. Each test period runs two to four days, with detailed documentation of kit serial numbers, room locations, and testing times to ensure data accuracy.
Results guide next steps: levels above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) prompt retesting or immediate mitigation, while readings between 2–4 pCi/L are added to a long-term monitoring plan. Mitigation systems typically cost $3,500–$8,000 and include follow-up servicing.
Clear communication is a key element of Vancouver’s program. The district notifies buildings before testing, posts results with context, and translates messages for families when needed. They also use a color-coded mapping system to track test cycles and conduct annual retesting of mitigated areas to ensure ongoing system effectiveness.
The Washington State Department of Health is developing templates and standard operating procedures (SOPs) to help schools plan, test, and communicate results consistently.
For more information or to learn from Vancouver’s model, contact:
- Nicole Daltoso, Nicole.Daltoso@evergreenps.org
- Lindsay Rogers, Lindsay.Rogers@vansd.org
