Heat Waves and Radon: Addressing Dual Risks in Brownfield Redevelopment

Recent global temperature records indicate the urgent need to tackle the multifaceted challenges of climate change. Among these is the dual threat posed by extreme heat and radon exposure, particularly in the context of brownfield redevelopment. Brownfields, often contaminated lands requiring rehabilitation, offer unique opportunities to implement comprehensive strategies that address both heat resilience and radon mitigation.

Radon: A Silent Hazard

Brownfield sites typically contain hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants, including radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Radon poses a significant health risk when it accumulates indoors, especially in poorly ventilated areas. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking, according to the EPA.. As we focus on revitalizing brownfields, we must recognize the hidden threat that radon poses to community health.

Extreme Heat: The Silent Killer

Extreme heat is often referred to as a silent killer due to its underestimated threat. Heat-related illnesses and deaths frequently go unnoticed, with individuals often unaware of the risks until it’s too late. This threat is particularly pronounced in low-income communities, which often lack the necessary infrastructure to cope with extreme heat. These communities, especially those located near brownfields, face challenges such as insufficient shade, inadequate cooling centers, and limited access to air conditioning, all of which exacerbate the risk.

Furthermore, brownfields, characterized by their abandoned structures and concrete surfaces, significantly contribute to the formation of urban heat islands. These are localized areas with significantly higher temperatures compared to their surroundings. Residents in these areas, therefore, face amplified heat stress, further underscoring the silent but deadly impact of extreme heat.

Extreme Heat and Radon Gas: A Dual Health Challenge

Extreme heat and radon gas pose a dual risk to low-income communities, particularly those residing in poorly maintained or contaminated buildings. Extreme heat, can lead to heat-related illnesses. Concurrently, these communities may face increased exposure to radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can infiltrate buildings from the soil.

During hot weather, soil drying and increased pressure differentials can enhance radon entry into buildings. Based on research, high soil temperatures in the summer increased the calculated soil gas radon concentration by 14 %, compared with winter values. This is particularly concerning, as radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, following smoking. The risk is even higher for smokers exposed to radon.

Moreover, low-income communities often face existing health conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The dual risk of heat-related illnesses and radon-induced lung cancer can exacerbate these health challenges, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions and support for these vulnerable communities.

Mitigating Radon Risk Through Heat Resilience

Let's explore how more resilient redevelopments can reduce radon risk. By integrating heat resilience interventions into brownfield redevelopment, we can effectively mitigate radon risk. The key strategies include:

• Shade and Ventilation: Regulate indoor temperatures and reduce radon buildup.
• Cool Roofs and Reflective Surfaces: Minimize heat absorption to indirectly benefit radon mitigation.
• Climate-Smart Building Materials and Designs: Use materials that withstand extreme temperatures to enhance heat resilience and radon reduction.

Strengthening Policies for Healthier Redevelopment

After establishing resilience strategies, let’s not forget about policy and its role in facilitating healthier, more resilient redevelopment and decreasing risks. In our city’s heat action plan, the simultaneous address of extreme heat and radon risk is critical for several reasons:

• Public Health: Considering both heat and radon protects residents from immediate and long-term health issues.
• Synergies: Integrated strategies ensure that buildings are both heat-resilient and radon-safe, fostering healthier living environments.
• Equity: The action plan recognizes the extra risks for people living near polluted areas and makes their safety a top priority.

Let's not forget that environmental due diligence is a vital component of the heat action plan and plays a key role in minimizing radon risk in redevelopment efforts.

This process helps us identify areas at higher risk of heat and assess potential radon contamination, ensuring informed planning and targeted interventions. By integrating this due diligence with our heat action plans, we can design redevelopment strategies that are not only heat-resilient but also radon-safe, thereby protecting public health and advancing community well-being. This approach aligns with the guidelines set forth by local regulations and the EPA’s All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) rule, fostering comprehensive community resilience. As we move forward, this fusion of planning and policy is essential to transforming contaminated lands into thriving, health-conscious environments.