Beloit College
OP-5: Indoor Air Quality

Beloit College first tested for radon gas on March 10, 2014 and found a concentration level above the EPA residential level of 4 pCi/L in one building. As a result of this initial testing, multiple Beloit faculty, vendors, and others were contacted to learn more about radon and the testing protocol. Reference guidance was obtained from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Georgia State University Radon Management Plan. Among those consulted and offering assistance to Beloit College is a member of the University of Kentucky's Environmental Health and Safety Division. They have an online fact sheet that offers some useful information regarding radon plus that division’s work on testing and how they address this issue on its Lexington, Kentucky campus. Beloit College then formed a radon committee and hired an industrial hygiene consultant to provide direction with the testing and creation of a mitigation process. Additional tests were then completed the week of April 25 in buildings located on the south side of campus which have lower level occupants. Results of tests: To date, all reported levels have been within the amount deemed acceptable (below 32.7pCi/L) for a 40-hour work week by OSHA and ACGIH, governmental and non-governmental agencies concerned with worker safety and industrial hygiene. A record of testing locations, results, and actions taken can be found on an internally accessible page. Radon monitoring activities are ongoing on-campus, since exposures can change over time due to factors such as climate, increase/decrease in air flow, and building/foundation age. Occupied areas with slightly elevated levels are to be tested quarterly, while unoccupied spaces will be tested biannually. Areas with levels at or below the EPA standard of 4 pCi/L for residential air quality will be retested annually. Faculty, staff, and students concerned about possible radon in areas not included in initial inventory created by the hired industrial hygiene consultant can submit a work request for radon testing through the College's Facilities work tracking system. this system is accessible by all faculty, staff, and students.