Curriculum
Radon Measurement Technician Course Curriculum (1)
One-Day Course
Revised July 1, 2001
A minimum of eight hours of classroom instruction time is required for this course. A maximum of two hours is allowed for a 75 question closed book examination. Only after a student finishes the classroom portion of the course, may he/she sit for the examination. The class room work and the examination may be completed on the same day or the examination may be completed on a subsequent day.
A student must answer at least 70.65% (53 of 75) examination questions correctly to obtain a passing grade.
Determining the amount of time allocated to the various sections of this curriculum is not mandated; this determination is left to the discretion of the instructor. It is not mandated that all eight hours of classroom instruction be completed in a single day. However, to provide guidance for the instructor, the course curriculum indicates the approximate number of examination questions that will be associated with each section of the curriculum.
The course instructor must maintain a classroom attendance log for each student, which accounts for the time the student spent in the classroom.
I. Basic Concepts (9 questions)
Radioactivity
Radiation - alpha, beta, gamma
Half-life
Inert gas
Uranium (mineral) > Radium (mineral) > Radon (gas) > Progeny (solids)
Radon progeny
Units: pCi/l, WL, Bq/m3, WLM
Typical concentrations indoor/outdoor
Action level
Gas transport:
From soil: diffusion, permeation, mixing/dilution
From water: dissolution/aeration
Sources: soil, rock, building materials, water
Radon entry into house
II. Health Effects (9 questions)
Gas > progeny > (attachment) > lungs > alpha radiation > lung cancer risk
Dose-response model
Evidence of radon link to lung cancer (miner studies)
Residential studies
Extrapolating mines to homes
Radon-in-water > aeration > inhalation > lungs > known risk
Radon-in-water > ingestion > stomach/intestines/bloodstream > risk (?)
Synergistic effect with smoking
Risk at EPA action level
What level is “safe”?
Comparative risks: auto accidents, drowning, other radiation exposures, etc.
If you don't know the answer refer client to EPA or State
III. Radon Test Methods (9 questions)
Test purposes: screening, follow-up/confirm, diagnostic, post-mitigation, maintenance, research/other
Duration: long term, short term, grab
Strategy: passive, active
Integrating vs. continuous
Screening protocol goals
Devices: passive/ active, short term/long term
Passive: Short Term: AC, LS, ES
Active: Short Term: CR, CW
Passive: Long Term: AT, EL
IV. Test Placement and Conditions (19 questions)
Variation: diurnal, seasonal, spatial, weather-related, occupant-related
Placement: level, room, location, how many
Minimum distances
Closed House Conditions
When required? When recommended?
Requirements for Closed House Conditions
Notifying occupants
Interference/tampering: detecting, avoiding
Test invalidation
Data reported to lab with test kit
EPA Protocol for real estate transactions
Interpretation of results
Measurement error /uncertainty
Large buildings, schools
Discussion
(Recommended) Radon-in-water sampling
V. Mitigation (5 questions)
Mitigation strategies: basics
Radon from soil:
Soil depressurization: greatly reduces radon entry into house
Ventilation: dilutes radon that has entered the house
Other: sealing - usually doesn't work by itself
Radon from water:
Aeration
GAC filtration
Comparative performance and costs
Difficult situations
Don't offer mitigation strategies, let mitigators determine strategies
All houses can be fixed - cost is the issue
Radon resistant new construction
Post-mitigation testing, system monitoring, and maintenance
VI. Relation with Client (9 questions)
Dialogue with client
Risk communication
Confidentiality
Interpretation of results for client
Based on radon test results, what should be done next?
Do nothing, retest, or call mitigator(s)
If unusually high radon concentrations, urge client to call EPA or state for advice
What follow-up is required?
Real estate transaction
Re-test when?
Who pays for mitigation?
Negotiation and escrow possibilities
Discussion
VII. Relation with Laboratory (5 questions)
Choosing lab
Levels of service
Division of responsibilities
Quality assurance responsibilities
Blanks, duplicates, spikes, calibrations
Quality assurance plan
VIII. Role of Government (5 questions)
Federal: EPA
States: unregulated and regulated
Regional review of state laws
Real estate disclosure laws
Radon outreach programs
EPA Publications:
Citizen's Guide to Radon
Consumer's Guide to Radon Reduction
Home Buyers and Sellers Guide to Radon
IX. Tester's Health and Safety, Professional Conduct, and Ethics (3 questions)
Testing in houses with known high radon concentrations
Professional Conduct
Ethics
X. Additional Courses, Continuing Education, and Credentials (2 questions)
Advanced measurement methods
Analytical services and quality assurance
Radon in water
Radon mitigation standards; and inspecting mitigation systems
Video courses
AARST programs
NRSB Certification
Other Certification Programs
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