By Samantha Schwartz ’16

After 26 MCPS schools tested for dangerously high levels of radon, all schools and other buildings within the district have been scheduled to be retested. Sherwood’s radon levels were tested from December 21 to 24 and are awaiting results.

Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that often seeps into buildings through cracks in the foundation. This seemingly harmless gas is linked to lung cancer and thus regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA says radon should be tested for and should not exceed four picocuries per liter (pCi/l), in order to protect people’s safety and well-being.

Interim Superintendent Larry A. Bowers has directed staff to review the MCPS radon program and to establish a new baseline set of data of radon levels in MCPS facilities with the retesting data. The new radon monitoring program will be developed with guidance from the EPA to ensure an effective and accurate new policy.

The upcoming testing schedule and future test results will be accessible on the MCPS website (http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org).