More than 55 million children and 6 million adults spend their days in K–12 school buildings across the United States. The American Lung Association is urging school administrators to prioritize indoor air quality by testing for radon, which is a leading cause of lung cancer and a hidden threat in many schools.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. It can build up indoors, including in schools. According to the American Lung Association, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the country and causes about 21,000 deaths each year. Testing is the only way to know if a school has high levels of radon.
“Every child deserves a healthy place to learn, and every educator deserves a healthy place to work,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “Radon is a cancer-causing gas that can accumulate inside schools without anyone knowing. The good news is that testing for radon is simple and affordable—and schools can take action to fix the problem if levels are high.”
Indoor air quality affects both student learning and staff health. Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, where air pollution can be two to five times higher than outdoors. Poor air quality in schools has been linked with lower academic performance, more absenteeism, and increased risk of respiratory illnesses.
Radon enters buildings through cracks in floors, walls, and foundations. There is no known safe level of exposure to radon. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends action if levels reach or exceed 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), and consideration for action at levels between 2.0 and 4.0 pCi/L. In many states, school officials may receive training to perform radon testing themselves or hire licensed professionals for this purpose; guidance on how schools should conduct these tests can be found online.
The American Lung Association encourages all school districts to test their facilities for radon and take steps to reduce it when necessary in order to protect students’, faculty’s, and staff’s health. More information about testing for radon in schools as well as resources are available at Lung.org/radon-schools.
