Boise School District said it found high levels of radon in three classrooms. What to know
The Boise School District says it found radon in three classrooms at North Junior High School over the winter break.
The school district said Thursday that it acted swiftly to ventilate the affected classrooms by increasing fresh air intake through the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system.
Radon levels in the classrooms, located in the cafeteria basement, now meet safety standards established by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, according to a news release.
Radon is a colorless, odorless and invisible gas that rises up from the soil and can enter homes and buildings through cracks or gaps in crawl spaces and foundations, according to Health and Welfare.
Long-term exposure to high radon levels can increase the risk of developing lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in Idaho, according to the health department. About two of every five homes in the state that have been tested for radon have levels above 4.0 pCi/L, or picocuries per liter of air. The EPA recommends fixing your home if the radon level is at or above that level, according to the agency’s website.
The three classrooms had levels ranging from 1.9 pCi/L to 5.6 pCi/L, according to the school district. No elevated levels were found in the gymnasium basement or other areas tested.
North was built in 1937 with bricks and local sandstone, according to the Idaho Architecture Project. The basement of the building was later excavated and remodeled to provide additional space.
The school district said it’s taking a few steps to ensure safety at all of its schools and buildings, including installing radon monitoring devices in areas where its more likely to accumulate, conducting a second round of radon testing over spring break and establishing a routine radon testing schedule across the school district.
“We understand the importance of maintaining safe and healthy environments for our students and staff,” Deputy Superintendent Nick Smith said in the news release. “These additional measures reflect our commitment to addressing any potential issues and confirming the air quality at North Junior High and all of our schools and facilities.”
This story was originally published January 30, 2025 at 3:37 PM.
