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Factors Affecting the Fractional Equilibrium Levels of Radon and its Progeny Indoors

Archived: Wednesday, August 24, 2022

Sponsored by: U.S. EPA, Office of Land and Emergency Management (OLEM), Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (OSRTI)

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This webinar will describe the process and results from a research project concerning an issue that arises when assessing the risks, doses, or working levels of indoor radon from radioactive contamination at Superfund sites. Radon and its daughter products are the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The radon indoor Inhalation fractional Equilibrium Factor (Feq) is a unitless disequilibrium ratio of measured radon gas progeny alpha emissions to total progeny alpha emissions at equilibrium in a specified volume. The Superfund program developed radon vapor intrusion screening level (RVISL) calculator to assist with risk assessment and decision-making at Superfund sites where indoor Rn-222, Rn-220, and Rn-219 is a contaminant. The focus of this project was to take a closer look at the impact of factors such as exhalation, solid-particle concentration, surface deposition, and air quality. In this review, studies regarding the influence of these factors were summarized to provide a more comprehensive approach in establishing risk assessment for public health.

A photograph of Stuart WalkerStuart Walker, U.S. EPA Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation (walker.stuart@epa.gov)
Stuart Walker has been employed by U.S. EPA in Washington, DC since 1990 in either the Superfund program (the Office of Superfund Remediation and Technology Innovation) or the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air working on issues regarding the cleanup of contaminated sites. His primary area of responsibility includes serving as the Superfund program's national lead on issues regarding radioactively contaminated CERCLA sites. In this role, Stuart develops national policy for risk assessment including models, community involvement, compliance with Applicable or Relevant and Appropriate requirements (ARARs), establishing cleanup levels and management of radioactive contamination at CERCLA sites.


A photograph of Caitlin ShanahanCaitlin Shanahan (caitlin.shanahan@comcast.net)
Caitlin Shanahan is a recent graduate of Lewis University with a B.S of Biology and a B.A in Spanish Language and Culture. She is finishing her Master's in Chemistry with a focus in conductive biomaterials for wastewater remediation. During this past year she has worked as an intern on exploring factors that affect the indoor concentrations of radon and its progeny to improve RVISL calculations under the guidance of Stuart Walker and Frederick Dolislager through the US Department of State's Virtual Student Federal Service. Thanks to this opportunity, she applied to and now has recently joined US EPA Region 5 as a remedial project manager. Caitlin is looking forward to continuing with Superfund.


Moderator:

A photograph of Jean BalentJean Balent, U.S. EPA Technology Innovation and Field Services Division (balent.jean@epa.gov or 202-566-0832)
Ms Balent is on the staff of the EPA's Technology Innovation and Field Services Division where she has worked to collect and disseminate hazardous waste remediation and characterization information since 2003. Ms Balent manages the Clean Up Information Network website and actively supports online communication and collaboration resources available to EPA. She formerly worked with the US Army Corps of Engineers Environmental Engineering Division in the Buffalo District. Ms Balent was also a member of the SUNY-Buffalo Groundwater Research Group where she constructed and tested large scale models of groundwater flow. Ms Balent has also conducted research relating to the Great Lakes, environmental remediation, and brownfields re-development. She holds a Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering from SUNY-Buffalo and a Master's degree in Information Technology from AIU.


Help & FAQs

Zoom Resources

This seminar will be delivered through Zoom. Participants are encouraged to update to the latest version of the Zoom application for the best experience. If you are unable to install the Zoom application, most functions will be available if you join just using a modern web browser such as Chrome, Edge or Firefox. We strongly encourage you to run the Zoom Meeting Test prior to attending this seminar. Technical support on the day of the seminar will be very limited and subject to significant delays.

Rehabilitation Act Notice for Reasonable Accommodation

It is EPA's policy to make reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities wishing to participate in the agency's programs and activities, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 791. Any request for accommodation should be made to Stuart Walker at 202-566-1148 or Walker.stuart@Epa.gov, preferably one week or more in advance of the seminar, so that EPA will have sufficient time to process the request. EPA would welcome specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. EPA welcomes specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. Please note that CLU-IN provides both alternate phone call-in options and closed captioning for all webinars, and requests for these specific accommodations are not necessary.



Still Have Questions? Contact Us

Rehabilitation Act Notice for Reasonable Accommodation

It is EPA's policy to make reasonable accommodation to persons with disabilities wishing to participate in the agency's programs and activities, pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 29 U.S.C. 791. Any request for accommodation should be made to Stuart Walker at 202-566-1148 or Walker.stuart@Epa.gov, preferably one week or more in advance of the webinar, so that EPA will have sufficient time to process the request. EPA would welcome specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. EPA welcomes specific recommendations from requestors specifying the nature or type of accommodation needed. Please note that CLU-IN provides both alternate phone call-in options and closed captioning for all webinars, and requests for these specific accommodations are not necessary.

Webinar Recording

By participating in this CLU-IN webinar, you automatically agree to authorize recording of audio and visual content presented during this live event and consent to subsequent use of this recording in the public domain by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. This recording may include questions, comments and poll responses provided by you during the live event in addition to your name, voice, image or likeness. This recording will be made available after the conclusion of the live event as part of the CLU-IN webinar archives, and will remain available indefinitely. If you do not wish to consent to the recording, please do not join the live event, and contact Jean Balent at 202-566-0832 or balent.jean@epa.gov to discuss your concerns.

Content Disclaimer

This webinar is intended solely to provide information to the public. The views and opinions expressed as part of this webinar do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. It is not intended, nor can it be relied upon, to create any rights enforceable by any party in litigation with the United States, or to endorse the use of products or services provided by specific vendors. With respect to this webinar, neither the United States Government nor any of their employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product, or process disclosed, or represents that its use would not infringe privately owned rights.