RIAR Government Affairs Meeting   September 20, 2007

Guest Speaker:  Dr. Peter Gifford, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health

LAST YEAR IN THE GOVENOR’S BUDGET WAS A REQUEST FOR MANDATORY RADON TESTING AT THE TRANSFER OF REAL ESTATE.

RIAR Government Affairs voted to monitor the action and agreed to have Dr. Gifford as a guest speaker to explain the Department of Health’s position on radon testing.  These are the notes from that meeting.

RADON

HEALTH’S agenda is to seek radon education and testing in all residential real estate transactions.  HEALTH would also like to see radon resistant new home construction techniques in use.  Both are cost effective and will provide substantial health benefit to the public.

-Home tests kits cost as little as $20.  Professional inspectors typically charge in the range of $100 to $150 to test a home.

-Radon remediation costs are generally less than $1,500 for built homes, and only $600-800 for radon resistant construction practices.

·        Real estate transactions provide a unique opportunity to test for radon.

·        Because the presence of radon cannot be sensed and does not cause any immediate systems, individuals often disregard its potential health implication.

·        Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, with tobacco smoke being first.

·        Recent research has revealed that the risk of lung cancer from radon is higher than originally estimated, particularly for those who also smoke.

·        It is estimated that 15,000 – 20,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the US are attributable to radon exposure.

·        The health risks from radon exposure are preventable through identification and mitigation.

·        Radon levels in RI are almost 3 times the national average with nearly 25% (or 1 in 4) of the homes tested reporting above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/1.

·        Extensive testing mapping has revealed higher incidence of elevated radon in the South County area of the state, but elevated levels have been identified in all cities and town.

MOLD

·        Mold is ubiquitous in our environment.  Despite a few highly publicized cases of “toxic mold illness,” mold is primarily an allergen.

·        All mold problems can be traced to a moisture problem.  To adequately address a mold insure, the moisture issue must first be identified and eliminated.

·        Mold is not included in any Housing or Occupational Standards.  HEALTH does not currently propose regulatory standards for mold.

                        -There is no third-party certification that confers an objective, widely recognized credential for expertise in mold testing or remediation.  A nationally recognized credential would be valuable, especially after disasters like Katrina.  Would national realtor/insurance trade associations be willing to work on this issue?

• Technical staff at HEALTH is available to provide technical guidance to the public on mold identification and remediation.

ELECTRO MAGNETIC FREQUENCIES

• Scientific evidence does not provide definitive answers to the health effects of EMF in residential settings.
• However, no one can categorically state that there are no health effects of EMF exposure.
• There are no public exposure standards for EMF.
• HEALTH can provide general guidance on EMF, but it is not a regulated issue.

WELL WATER TESTING

• Approximately 1/10 of the state’s population obtains their drinking water from private wells.
• Demographic shifts to rural and sub-rural areas may be increasing the population served by private wells.
• HEALTH has been working with the Rhode Island Association of Realtors and numerous other stakeholders to promulgate Private Well Regulations that will optimize public health with respect to real estate transfers, new construction, and consumer education.
• Advisory and stakeholder groups are currently reviewing draft regulations in preparation for upcoming meetings.  Upon conclusion of these meetings, the draft will be revised and prepared for a period of public comment.

ASBESTOS

• Asbestos was used, and in some instances still is used, in a wide variety of building materials (roofing, siding, flooring, insulation).
• Most manufacturers have removed asbestos from their products primarly due to concerns regarding liability, not because of regulatory prohibitions.
• Health risks exist if the asbestos containing material becomes damaged either through deterioration or improper handling during renovations resulting in the release of microscopic asbestos fibers.
• It is often wiser to not remove asbestos containing materials that are in undamaged condition.  The cost of proper removal and disposal can be very expensive.
• The presence of asbestos is required to be disclosed in the purchase and sales agreement, however, HEALTH does not currently propose initiatives beyond disclosure for one and two family residential properties.  Asbestos abatement in multifamily residential, commercial and public buildings is highly regulated.
• HEALTH provides technical information to homeowners on the identification and abatement of asbestos containing building materials.

LYME DISEASE/EEE/WEST NILE VIRUS

• These diseases are present in the population with the number of cases varying each year.
• HEALTH conducts surveillance and collects data on these illnesses as well as the prevalence of the pathogens in vectors.
• HEALTH’s website contains information on all three disease.

LEAD

• Public education by HEALTH and numerous other public and private partners, in conjunction with enforcement, has resulted in a significant reduction in childhood lead poisoning in Rhode Island.
• Pending the outcome of the Attorney General’s litigation, HEALTH does not currently propose any new initiatives in this area.
• Although the recent discovery of lead base pain children’s toys is disturbing, it is not seen as having major impact on childhood lead poisoning rates.
• However, HEALTH continues to recommend that all children under the age of 6 be screened for blood lead levels.

FORMALDEHYDE (FOAM)

• Formaldehyde is still present in some building materials and household products, such as pressed woods, although the quantity used in manufacture has decreased substantially
• The use of UFFI (Foam Insulation) has diminished greatly since the 1970’s.
• Out-gassing occurs over a fairly short period of time (1-2 months), depending on temperature and humidity, so it is of concern primarily in new homes of newly remodeled homes.
• Formaldehyde primarily causes allergic type symptoms, though studies have related it as a carcinogen
• California requires labeling of all products containing formaldehyde as a carcinogen.  RI does not intend to do this.
• Recommend increased ventilation after renovation/remodeling activities to reduce the chance of elevated concentrations.

CESSPOOLS

• HEALTh supported the RI Cesspool Act of 2007
• HEALTH’s Office of Drinking Water Quality will collaborate with DEM in regards to the identification of cesspools that may impact public drinking water supplies.
• DEM is the primary respondent to reports of failing septic systems, however, staff at HEALTH work collaboratively with DEM on all issues that threaten public health.

THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH ENCOURAGED THE USE OF THEIR WEBSITE FOR THESE ISSUES.  THEY ENCOURAGED US TO HAVE BUYERS CALL FOR INFORMATION.  CLEARLY, THEY HAVE THE ISSUES IN PERSPECTIVE AND ARE THERE TO HELP THE BUYERS UNDERSTAND.