Policy Authors:
Dr. Michael Brogan, Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Lori Zimpfer-Caccamise, Director of Facilities Management and Capital Projects
Responsible Office-Departments:
Facility Services under the direction of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Provost and the Vice President of Business Affairs
Effective Date of Policy:
August 27, 2024
Purpose of this Policy
To identify Daemen University’s radon testing and remediation program.
Narrative
Daemen University is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all persons working at, residing on, and/or visiting campus, recognizing that radon gas is a naturally occurring radioactive gas in the environment formed by the breakdown of radioactive metals of uranium, thorium or radium in rocks.
Since radon is a naturally occurring gas with low level exposure, the danger associated with radon comes about when the gas accumulates in an enclosed area such as the basement of a building, house, or other structure. Radon can enter a building through several different points. These include dirt floors, crawl spaces, cracks in concrete floors and walls, floor drains, sumps, joints, and cracks and holes in concrete block walls. As the concentration of the gas rises, the hazards associated with exposure to the gas increase.
Daemen University Amherst Campus as designated EPA Zone 1 will take action to monitor for its presence and remediate when testing confirms radon levels exceed the EPA permissible level of 4.0 pCi/L.
Scope and Applicability of this Policy
All Amherst campus buildings, with a focus on those with a below grade level where people work for extended periods (Campus Apartment – 57 and 71, Duns Scotus – East End, Rosary Hall).
Procedures for Policy Implementation
Initial Testing
- Test all below grade basement areas where persons work/reside in accordance with EPA protocol. Testing will be done in each office space but not closets or bathrooms.
- Results of testing will be communicated formally via email to all persons residing in tested areas. Email will be sent by the Provost or Vice President of Business Affairs or their designated representative.
Finding of Radon in Excess of Permissible Limit (4.0 pCi/L)
- In any area testing above the EPA level of 4.0 pCi/L
- Promptly relocate those working/residing in the area.
- Work with a consultant to identify a remediation plan for radon identified.
- Implement remediation plan.
- Conduct post radon testing in all locations tested above EPA limit.
- Results of testing will be communicated formally via email to all persons residing in tested areas. Email will be sent by the Provost or Vice President of Business Affairs or their designated representative.
- Reoccupy space when post testing confirms acceptable limits.
Ongoing Testing
- All below grade basement areas where employees work will be formally tested twice per year at 6-month intervals of March and October to review and verify conditions.
- Results of testing will be communicated formally via email to all persons residing in tested areas. Email will be sent by the Provost or Vice President of Business Affairs or their designated representative.