February 27, 2023 – Santa Fe College recently began an initiative to improve and sustain the indoor air quality of college facilities. During the fall term, bipolar ionization units were installed to clean particles such as dust, dander, smoke, viruses and bacteria from the air. The installation of these units was completed on the Northwest Campus in the fall and was completed at each of the SF centers early in the spring term.
In addition, Facilities Services and the Department of Safety and Risk Management contracted a state-certified radon measurement business to conduct radon testing of all college buildings as part of SF’s ongoing commitment to health and safety.
Radon, a naturally occurring odorless, colorless and tasteless radioactive gas, is found in rocks and soils and can enter buildings through cracks or openings in walls or foundations. Since it is naturally occurring, exposure is common and unavoidable. The Florida Department of Health estimates that 1 in 5 Florida homes contain radon above the action level that was established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Florida statute requires radon testing of state-licensed day care centers in most counties including the Little School, which was conducted in 2021. While not required for higher education facilities, SF decided to expand testing to include the rest of the Northwest Campus as well as each of the centers.
Campuswide testing began in November and will remain ongoing across all educational sites throughout the spring. The College is working with a Certified Industrial Hygienist to evaluate the collected data once testing has been completed. If needed, the College will implement mitigation measures for buildings with radon levels above the EPA recommended action level.
For more information, visit sfcollege.edu/safety/safety-topics/indoor-air-quality.