EPA Encourages Home Testing During National Radon Action Month
LENEXA, KAN. (JAN. 4, 2024) – Each January, EPA seeks to raise awareness of radon exposure during National Radon Action Month, encouraging residents to protect themselves and their families by having their homes tested for the presence of radon.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. If left untreated, radon can build up indoors, leading to adverse health effects. After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., taking the lives of approximately 21,000 Americans every year. Radon exposure is a preventable health risk, and testing for radon can help prevent prolonged exposure.
“In the U.S., radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “We urge everyone to protect their health and that of their loved ones by testing their homes for the presence of radon gas, especially those who live in an EPA Radon Zone One, which includes all of Iowa, most of Kansas, northwestern Missouri, and parts of southern and eastern Nebraska.”
Most homes in EPA Region 7’s four states are located in areas that fall within EPA Radon Zone One or Two, indicating high or moderate potential for elevated radon levels. To see if your home is in one of these areas, check EPA’s website to view a map of Radon Zones for your state.
Radon testing kits can be bought online and in home improvement stores. National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University offers test kits for purchase online.
EPA recommends taking action to fix your home if you discover radon levels above 4 picocuries per liter. If your home does have elevated levels of radon, a qualified professional can install a system to lower your indoor radon levels. For more guidance on how to address radon risks, see EPA’s Radon page.
Background
For additional resources and information on the radon programs in EPA Region 7's four states, visit the websites listed below:
Iowa Health and Human Services
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that cannot be seen, smelled or tasted. If left untreated, radon can build up indoors, leading to adverse health effects. After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., taking the lives of approximately 21,000 Americans every year. Radon exposure is a preventable health risk, and testing for radon can help prevent prolonged exposure.
“In the U.S., radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers,” said EPA Region 7 Administrator Meg McCollister. “We urge everyone to protect their health and that of their loved ones by testing their homes for the presence of radon gas, especially those who live in an EPA Radon Zone One, which includes all of Iowa, most of Kansas, northwestern Missouri, and parts of southern and eastern Nebraska.”
Most homes in EPA Region 7’s four states are located in areas that fall within EPA Radon Zone One or Two, indicating high or moderate potential for elevated radon levels. To see if your home is in one of these areas, check EPA’s website to view a map of Radon Zones for your state.
Radon testing kits can be bought online and in home improvement stores. National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University offers test kits for purchase online.
EPA recommends taking action to fix your home if you discover radon levels above 4 picocuries per liter. If your home does have elevated levels of radon, a qualified professional can install a system to lower your indoor radon levels. For more guidance on how to address radon risks, see EPA’s Radon page.
Background
For additional resources and information on the radon programs in EPA Region 7's four states, visit the websites listed below:
Iowa Health and Human Services
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
Port of Baltimore names Everglades CEO as new executive director
Jonathan Daniels will take the port’s helm in early February, with construction of the Sparrows Point Container Terminal atop his list of priorities.
Port of Baltimore names ex-Everglades CEO as new executive director
Jonathan Daniels will take the port’s helm in early February, with construction of the Sparrows Point Container Terminal atop his list of priorities.
QB 24-611 2024 First Quarter Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for Steel Mill Articles of European Union (EU) Member Countries
Commodity:
Steel Mill Articles as specified in Presidential Proclamations
Quota Period
Quarter 1: January 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024
Opening:
January 2, 2024 12:01 AM Local Port time.
Entries submitted prior to opening day local port time…
Steel Mill Articles as specified in Presidential Proclamations
Quota Period
Quarter 1: January 1, 2024 through March 31, 2024
Opening:
January 2, 2024 12:01 AM Local Port time.
Entries submitted prior to opening day local port time…
QB 24-711 2024 First and Second Period Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) for Aluminum Articles of European Union (EU) Member Countries
Commodity:
Aluminum Articles as specified in Presidential Proclamations
Quota Periods:
Period 1: January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024
Period 2: July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Openings:
Period 1: January 2, 2024 12:01 AM Local Port…
Aluminum Articles as specified in Presidential Proclamations
Quota Periods:
Period 1: January 1, 2024 through June 30, 2024
Period 2: July 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024
Openings:
Period 1: January 2, 2024 12:01 AM Local Port…
US West Coast ports aim to win back shippers after two-year share loss
The ports will be aided by continued transit constraints at the Panama Canal, potentially testy longshore negotiations on the East and Gulf coasts, and terminals that are as fluid as they have been since before the pandemic.
EPA to hold public hearing to accept comments on proposed amended cleanup plan for the Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site in Woodstock
WOODSTOCK, CONN. (Jan. 3, 2024) – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be holding a hybrid public hearing on the amended Proposed Plan for the cleanup of the Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site in Woodstock, Conn on January 10, 2024.
Public Hearing: January 10, 2024, 7:00 p.m. until all comments are heard.
In-person: Woodstock Middle School Cafeteria, 147B Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281
Virtually: epa.gov/superfund/linemaster.
During the public hearing, EPA will be accepting oral comments on the preferred remedial alternative identified in the Proposed Plan. No new information will be presented at the hearing. The Proposed Plan presents EPA's proposed changes to the current (ongoing) remedy for the site.
In a 1993 Record of Decision, EPA selected a cleanup plan for the entire site. This remedy required the construction and operation of a groundwater and soil vapor extraction system within the "source area," as well as the extraction and treatment of contaminated groundwater outside the source area (i.e., downgradient areas). Despite 25 years of active site remediation, and evidence that the concentration of contaminants is declining, significant impacts to the soil and groundwater remain. As a result, EPA is proposing to amend the 1993 Record of Decision. The proposed revised remedy includes additional treatment of contaminated soil, as well as modifying the existing groundwater extraction and treatment system. The proposed amended remedy is estimated to cost approximately $11.4 million and is estimated to take approximately one to two years to design and implement.
EPA will be accepting public comments on the Proposed Plan until midnight January 12, 2024. EPA will formally respond to all comments, both written and oral, received during the comment period in a responsiveness summary which will be part of the formal record. EPA will then release its Amended Record of Decision.
More Information on the Public Comment Opportunity:
EPA's Proposed Plan for Linemaster Site, its Administrative Record File, as well as other site related documents and other technical documents related to the site, are available for review online at EPA's webpage: epa.gov/superfund/linemaster.
The Woodstock Town Hall can be used as an access point for EPA's Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site webpage.
EPA's Records Center is located within EPA's regional office at 5 Post Office Square in Boston, Mass. EPA's Records Center is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To make an appointment to view the records at EPA's regional office, please call at (617) 918-1440.
If you would like a copy of the Proposed Plan mailed to you, contact Charlotte Gray at gray.charlotte@epa.gov or (617) 918-1243.
Submit your comments during the 30-day public comment period on the Proposed Plan no later than midnight January 12, 2024 by mail, hand delivery/courier, or email to:
John Bryant, Remedial Project Manager
Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site
U.S. EPA New England
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
Mail Code: 7-MI
Boston, MA 02109
Email: Bryant.John@epa.gov
Phone: (617) 918-1375
The public hearing on January 10, 2024 is another opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed amended remedy. All verbal comments will be recorded and become part of the official record.
If you have questions on the comment period, please contact:
Charlotte Gray, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, by email at Gray.Charlotte@epa.gov or by phone at (617) 918-1243.
Background
The 92-acre Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site houses a former manufacturing facility in Woodstock, Conn. that produced electrical and pneumatic foot switches and wiring harnesses. As part of the manufacturing operations, several chemicals were used at the site including trichloroethene (TCE). Due to the remaining contamination from the previous manufacturing operations, the site was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List in February of 1990. A cleanup plan for the site was selected in a 1993 Record of Decision. Since then, cleanup activities have included the installation of soil and groundwater treatment systems.
More information
Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site Profile Page
Public Hearing: January 10, 2024, 7:00 p.m. until all comments are heard.
In-person: Woodstock Middle School Cafeteria, 147B Route 169, Woodstock, CT 06281
Virtually: epa.gov/superfund/linemaster.
During the public hearing, EPA will be accepting oral comments on the preferred remedial alternative identified in the Proposed Plan. No new information will be presented at the hearing. The Proposed Plan presents EPA's proposed changes to the current (ongoing) remedy for the site.
In a 1993 Record of Decision, EPA selected a cleanup plan for the entire site. This remedy required the construction and operation of a groundwater and soil vapor extraction system within the "source area," as well as the extraction and treatment of contaminated groundwater outside the source area (i.e., downgradient areas). Despite 25 years of active site remediation, and evidence that the concentration of contaminants is declining, significant impacts to the soil and groundwater remain. As a result, EPA is proposing to amend the 1993 Record of Decision. The proposed revised remedy includes additional treatment of contaminated soil, as well as modifying the existing groundwater extraction and treatment system. The proposed amended remedy is estimated to cost approximately $11.4 million and is estimated to take approximately one to two years to design and implement.
EPA will be accepting public comments on the Proposed Plan until midnight January 12, 2024. EPA will formally respond to all comments, both written and oral, received during the comment period in a responsiveness summary which will be part of the formal record. EPA will then release its Amended Record of Decision.
More Information on the Public Comment Opportunity:
EPA's Proposed Plan for Linemaster Site, its Administrative Record File, as well as other site related documents and other technical documents related to the site, are available for review online at EPA's webpage: epa.gov/superfund/linemaster.
The Woodstock Town Hall can be used as an access point for EPA's Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site webpage.
EPA's Records Center is located within EPA's regional office at 5 Post Office Square in Boston, Mass. EPA's Records Center is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. To make an appointment to view the records at EPA's regional office, please call at (617) 918-1440.
If you would like a copy of the Proposed Plan mailed to you, contact Charlotte Gray at gray.charlotte@epa.gov or (617) 918-1243.
Submit your comments during the 30-day public comment period on the Proposed Plan no later than midnight January 12, 2024 by mail, hand delivery/courier, or email to:
John Bryant, Remedial Project Manager
Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site
U.S. EPA New England
5 Post Office Square, Suite 100
Mail Code: 7-MI
Boston, MA 02109
Email: Bryant.John@epa.gov
Phone: (617) 918-1375
The public hearing on January 10, 2024 is another opportunity for the public to comment on the proposed amended remedy. All verbal comments will be recorded and become part of the official record.
If you have questions on the comment period, please contact:
Charlotte Gray, EPA Community Involvement Coordinator, by email at Gray.Charlotte@epa.gov or by phone at (617) 918-1243.
Background
The 92-acre Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site houses a former manufacturing facility in Woodstock, Conn. that produced electrical and pneumatic foot switches and wiring harnesses. As part of the manufacturing operations, several chemicals were used at the site including trichloroethene (TCE). Due to the remaining contamination from the previous manufacturing operations, the site was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List in February of 1990. A cleanup plan for the site was selected in a 1993 Record of Decision. Since then, cleanup activities have included the installation of soil and groundwater treatment systems.
More information
Linemaster Switch Corp. Superfund Site Profile Page
EPA Awards $200,000 to Los Angeles Small Businesses to Advance Innovative Environmental Technologies
LOS ANGELES – This week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is announcing $200,000 in research funding to two Los Angeles small businesses to further develop and commercialize their environmental technologies. The funding comes through the agency’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant program.
“California’s small businesses are leaders in creating innovative and practical zero waste solutions that have far-reaching benefits for communities,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Deputy Regional Administrator Cheree Peterson. “These companies’ efforts to bring their technologies to market will advance the circular economy while protecting public health and the environment.”
Each year, EPA issues an SBIR solicitation for technology proposals for targeted environmental topics. The SBIR program consists of two phases of funding. The companies announced today previously received Phase I contracts of up to $100,000 for six months during the “proof of concept” of their proposed technologies. Now, for this Phase II announcement, companies are awarded up to $400,000 to further develop and commercialize their technologies.
This year’s SBIR Phase II award recipients in Los Angeles are:
Water Illumination Inc. (Irvine, Calif.) to develop technology using UV light to destroy PFAS in wastewater without producing harmful byproducts.
Holochip Corporation (Torrance, Calif.) to develop a mobile mapping application that does not require access to GPS, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi for users in disaster areas.
“We are very excited to have received this SBIR award,” said Water Illumination CEO Xuejun Yu. “It will accelerate our company’s efforts towards commercializing a sustainable PFAS destruction technology from water that can serve the greater Los Angeles region and beyond."
“We are excited to be partnering with EPA to deliver AI-based environmental mapping and localization solutions to improve the safety and efficacy of disaster response teams,” said Holochip CEO Robert Batchko. “Holochip has been supporting simulation, training, and mission success with next generation AI, SLAM, XR, and imaging solutions since 2004.”
Learn more about the recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s SBIR program.
Learn more about the federal SBIR program.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on X.
“California’s small businesses are leaders in creating innovative and practical zero waste solutions that have far-reaching benefits for communities,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Deputy Regional Administrator Cheree Peterson. “These companies’ efforts to bring their technologies to market will advance the circular economy while protecting public health and the environment.”
Each year, EPA issues an SBIR solicitation for technology proposals for targeted environmental topics. The SBIR program consists of two phases of funding. The companies announced today previously received Phase I contracts of up to $100,000 for six months during the “proof of concept” of their proposed technologies. Now, for this Phase II announcement, companies are awarded up to $400,000 to further develop and commercialize their technologies.
This year’s SBIR Phase II award recipients in Los Angeles are:
Water Illumination Inc. (Irvine, Calif.) to develop technology using UV light to destroy PFAS in wastewater without producing harmful byproducts.
Holochip Corporation (Torrance, Calif.) to develop a mobile mapping application that does not require access to GPS, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi for users in disaster areas.
“We are very excited to have received this SBIR award,” said Water Illumination CEO Xuejun Yu. “It will accelerate our company’s efforts towards commercializing a sustainable PFAS destruction technology from water that can serve the greater Los Angeles region and beyond."
“We are excited to be partnering with EPA to deliver AI-based environmental mapping and localization solutions to improve the safety and efficacy of disaster response teams,” said Holochip CEO Robert Batchko. “Holochip has been supporting simulation, training, and mission success with next generation AI, SLAM, XR, and imaging solutions since 2004.”
Learn more about the recipients.
Learn more about EPA’s SBIR program.
Learn more about the federal SBIR program.
Learn more about EPA’s Pacific Southwest Region. Connect with us on Facebook and on X.