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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Oregon's economy roaring at 'full throttle,' state economists say ... Jeld-Wen files to go public with stock offering ... Massive rehearsal planned for Northwest mega-quake, tsunami ... Oregon's economy roaring at 'full throttle,' state economists say ... Jeld-Wen files to go public with stock offering ... Massive rehearsal planned for Northwest mega-quake, tsunami ... PORTLAND Elevated radon levels found at some Portland schools District already facing criticism over lead in water Comment By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Jun. 2, 2016 at 6:31 PM By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Jun. 2, 2016 at 6:31 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Portland Public Schools says it has received results showing elevated levels of radon in rooms throughout the district. The announcement late Wednesday comes at a time when the district is facing criticism for its response to tests showing high levels of lead in the drinking water at some schools. David Hobbs, senior director of facilities and asset management, outlined the radon findings in a memo to the school board and Superintendent Carole Smith. Hobbs said roughly 800 rooms in 26 buildings were tested, and nine rooms in six schools exceeded an Environmental Protection Agency threshold that requires immediate follow up testing. EPA guidelines suggest the follow ups be done, if possible, during the coldest months of the season. "We know June is not the coldest month of the season, but want to conduct this test immediately," he wrote. More than 100 other rooms exceeded an EPA standard that requires further long-term testing. Those tests will occur in the fall. Most of the affected rooms are classrooms, but elevated levels of radon were also detected in boiler rooms, cafeterias, gymnasiums and the principal's office at a southeast Portland elementary school. Radon is an odorless and invisible gas that naturally exists in the ground and can cause lung cancer. It enters a building through openings in the foundation. The Oregon Legislature passed a law requiring all school districts to create radon testing plans before the start of the 2016-17 academic year. The tests must be completed before January 1, 2021. Hobbs said the Portland district wanted to get a head start, and hired a firm to conduct tests in March on 26 buildings that had high radon levels in 2001. The district got the results Wednesday. By Steven DuBois The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Steven DuBois The Associated Press Posted Jun. 2, 2016 at 6:31 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501