By Cadence Russell, Editor-in-Chief
In mid-October, routine testing resulted in several students living in on-campus apartments being immediately relocated due to concerns about radon levels in their apartments.
“Any student moved was moved out of an abundance of caution and for testing of living spaces, not because there were any readings of concern in their living spaces,” Dr. Kerry Spicer, vice president of student affairs said. “Students were notified via email, text message and phone calls. All students who were moved are back in their apartments as all testing has been done.”
“I remember, we had, like, enough time to go get our stuff, but we had to leave before eight o’clock in the morning the next day,” Jayden Sharp, senior animation major said.
Sharp was one of the students relocated from Apartment 71 and was temporarily placed in Canavan Hall while remediation was being done.
“I feel like it was hell the first weekend because I was not trying to be in Canavan of all things. Freshmen and like, don’t get me wrong, they’re cool, but then everybody’s in the same bathroom for four people. And I’m not used to that, but it’s been a while since I’ve been a freshman.”
Though Sharp briefly spent time in a triple, he was quickly moved to 76, another apartment, where he had his own space while waiting for the all-clear to return to his apartment in 71.
Daemen University tests twice per year for radon according to the Radon Testing and Remediation Policy. Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that seeps up from nearly all soils and bedrock from the decay of uranium and can accumulate in floors and walls that touch the ground, especially below-ground areas.
“Western New York in general is an area known for higher levels of radon, which varies greatly and is predominantly an issue in basements,” Spicer said. “Because of our geographic location, we do routine radon testing and if needed remediation in partnership with an external company. Though testing does not mean that remediation is necessary.”
Amherst is located in EPA Zone 1, meaning there is a predicted average radon level of > 4 pCi/L. Under the policy, any area that tests above 4.0 pCi/L at Daemen is remediated.
The updated testing policy went into effect Aug. 27, 2024. Processes that had been implemented in the past were officially put into a policy to be formally articulated.
“I don’t want any student, any human, any community, friend or colleague, to be engaged in anything we wouldn’t want them to be engaged with,” Dr. Michael Brogan, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost of the university said. “So this is really just a safety policy in the best interest of everyone. And it’s actually when you read our policy, it’s far more stringent than you know what would be expected in certain health agencies.”
An external agency was consulted to develop the plan and to implement routine testing. Testing is done in March and October to get the most favorable conditions to accurately test radon levels. Warmer, drier months like July create conditions where radon levels would test lower than they are on average during wetter, rainer fall and spring months.
“We don’t want there to be any concern and, the only way you can feel comfortable about that is if you measure and there’s no concern,” Brogan said. “But if you measure and you find something that needs attention, then you do the right thing. You move everybody. You get it remediated, you test it again, everything’s fine, and then people can move back.”
Remediation for any area of concern typically involves more ventilation to the area to remove the excessed trapped gas seeping up through cracks in the bedrock.
Back in 2023, several rooms on the first floor of Duns Scotus showed elevated readings of radon, specifically DS 17 and 22 after the flood. Students and faculty were relocated temporarily while increased ventilation was introduced to the areas of concern.
The policy is to promptly alert those impacted by testing. Unlike in October, where areas of concern were isolated, the 2023 remediation impacted large swaths of the campus community, and as such, resulted in campus-wide communication via email.
“We have a lot of health professionals here. We have a lot of biology, chemistry, a lot of nat sci folks, and so on,” Brogan said. “There is no way that we would not be responsible to the students and the community at large when we ourselves, are practicing those behaviors and measures.”