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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1998-01-12 98-92 RESOLVECouncil Action Date lan ary 14 1996 Item No. 98-92 Itemlgubject: 5upta ping Radon Resistant New Construction and me Testing of All Dwellings for High Radon Levels Responsible DeparhneM: Community and Economic Development -Code Enforcement Division Commentary: The goal of this resolve is to heighten the awareness of our citizens to this public health issue and reduce the number of deaths caused by lung cancer. The directives issued have been determined to be capable of being met during the normal course of permitting and inspection of new construction and therefore have no fiscal impact on the costs of general government. C Eibrouncement Offr Manager's Comments: Rnanre Director Legal Approval: CY�olurcar ° I Introduced For ,i�- Passage _ First Reading Referral 98-92 Assigned to Councilor Rahman January 12, 1998 CITY OF BANGOR MTU.) A¢SO*.. Supporting, Radon Resistant New Construction end the Testi�tg of All Dwellings for High Radon Levels By dt City Carmel Ktb city of Reason: RESOLVED, WHEREAS, Radon is a colorless, ododess naturally occurring gas produced by the breakdown or uranium in rock, soil and water which can build to high levels in structures; and WHEREAS, radon is recognized as the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, estimated to cause 14,000 (7,000 - 30,000) deaths per year; and WHEREAS, high levels of radon have been found in every State and Maine, because of its geology, is considered to be one of the States with the highest risk for elevated indoor radon levels; and WHEREAS, the EPA, in conjunction with the CDC, Model code organizations and the National Home Builders Association have developed radon resistant new construction techniques which help block radon from entering the home; and WHEREAS, the costs for radon resistant new construction adds only $350 - 500 in materials and labor to the cost of a new home with the added benefit of providing an average of $55 per year in energy savings for the homeowner; and WHEREAS, it is more cost-effective to include radon resistant construction techniques while building a home than installing a radon reduction system in an existing home. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BANGOR, THAT: We urge all home builders, contractors and citizens planning to construct new homes to consider using the radon resistant new construction tachniques set forth in Appendix F of the 1995 CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Construction Code and direct the staff of the Code Enforcement Division to provide such technical assistance and information to facilitate our citizens and contractors in making an informed decision regarding the inclusion or radon resistant construction in their design plans. Additionally, because the State of Maine has been determined to be a Zone 1 (high risk area) for high levels of indoor radon we hereby urge all homeowners and landlords to have their buildings 98-92 tested for high levels of radon and to take steps to reduce the level of radon in their building If it exceeds the EPA action level of 4 pico curies per Iger. Staff of the Code Enforcement Division is also directed to provide technical assistance to Bre owners of existing buildings which have been determined to have elevated levels of indoor radon. Passed and approved this the 12th day of January, 1998 IN CITY COUNCIL January 12, 1998 Passed M 9 8- 912 R E S O L V E tion and Testing of all Dwellings for Radon Levels G,� 0447. ,-