U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to promote “Recognize. Retreat. Report.” on Guam

April 13, 2018 (Tiyan, Guam) — Officials from the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) are on island to conduct an explosives safety outreach program known as “3Rs: Recognize. Retreat. Report.” This is the result of collaboration between the Guam Environmental Protection Agency’s (Guam EPA) Green Parcels/Defense and State Memorandum of Agreement (GP-DSMOA) division and USACE to promote safety and ensure that residents and visitors practice the proper safety measures in the event that they discover munitions and explosives of concern (MECs).

Guam EPA Administrator Walter S. Leon Guerrero stated, “Guam EPA is pleased to be collaborating with both the USACE and the Guam Homeland Security Office in spreading the ‘3Rs’ message that urges all of us to recognize, retreat and report.”

The presence of MECs on Guam has been well documented and established since the conclusion of the Japanese occupation and World War II. Leon Guerrero also added, “The Offices of Guam Homeland Security and Civil Defense have been at the forefront of sharing information, tips and preparedness planning in the event that manmade or natural disasters should occur on Guam. We are proud of the partnership that we have with their office for the 3Rs approach.”

Guam Homeland Security Advisor, George Charfauros adds, “The 3Rs approach is a good opportunity to create general awareness for the community about munitions and explosives of concerns. Response personnel are called for unexploded ordnances (UXO) found in areas around the island, oftentimes from WWII era. While these seem old and interesting; when found, it is important to know basic recognition techniques and the proper avenue to report these findings.”

If MECs or UXOs are found, the immediate action is to retreat and report the finding to the proper authorities, including local law enforcement.

Representatives from USACE have scheduled two outreach efforts to promote their 3Rs outreach campaign on Guam. USACE will be available this evening at the 2018 Smokin Wheels Racing event at the Guam International Raceway. USACE representatives will be onsite for the duration of the three-day event. Residents and visitors will also be able to interact with USACE once again at the Ninth Annual Banana Festival at the Ipan Beach Park from April 19 – 22, 2018

Leon Guerrero further stated, “Just as we have an entire generation that has not experienced a category 3 or category 4 storm, we also have an entire generation that may not possess the proper understanding of the prevalence or the dangers of MECs. The 3Rs approach looks to eliminate a potential pitfall and bolster local efforts to protect human and environmental health.”

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For more information, please contact Guam EPA Public Information Officer Nic Lee at 300-4753 or nic.rupley@epa.guam.gov

Best Beaches on Guam in 2017!

NEWS: Guam EPA Recognizes Radon Action Month, completes new radon lab installation

January 23, 2018 (Tiyan, Guam) — The Guam Environmental Protection Agency (Guam EPA) has completed the installation of its new radon testing laboratory. The lab features the latest in radon detection technology married with sustainable software and hardware enhancements that will bring Guam’s radon testing capability to the forefront and on par with our national counterparts. Proficiency performance testing and calibration for the lab have been completed this month with the assistance of Dr. James F. Burkhart, physics professor at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Colorado and director of the Western Regional Radon Training Center established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Guam EPA looks to obtain certification for the agency radon lab in March.

Radon is a radioactive, tasteless, colorless and odorless gas that forms from the natural decay of certain elements in rocks and soil. As a result of this decay, radon gas is emitted into the atmosphere and can seep into home and office buildings. Radon is classified as a carcinogen and long-term radon exposure has been linked to lung cancer. Radon levels are measured in “picoCuries per liter (pCie/L)” and the action level for mitigation in your home or office is 4pCie/L of air.

“Radon Action Month” is traditionally recognized in January. This year, Guam EPA acknowledged Radon Action Month with a proclamation signing ceremony with Lieutenant Governor Ray Tenorio at the Governor’s Complex in Adelup on January 23, 2018. Radon Action Month is a national campaign that aims to raise awareness about the dangers of radon in the home and office and how mitigation techniques can be implemented to reduce the amount of radon exposure. According to the USEPA and the Surgeon General’s Office, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, just behind tobacco smoking. Statistics show that radon related lung cancer claims some 24,000 lives annually – claiming more lives than drunk driving and drowning.

Guam EPA Administrator Walter S. Leon Guerrero stated, “Previous studies conducted by our agency have shown that radon is problem on Guam and that testing your home or office is the only way to determine radon levels.” Leon Guerrero also adds, “We are pleased to be working with USEPA’s Indoor Radon Program and we are grateful for the funding that Guam EPA has received through our consolidated grant to outfit our lab. We look to continue to enhance our service to the public through this lab.” Additional support for the Guam EPA’s radon lab has also come by way of a memorandum of agreement between the agency and the University of Guam. Testing for radon in your home or office is easy and inexpensive and should be done at least once every five years. The type of mitigation that is required to reduce radon exposure in the home or office depends on the current radon level in the structure.

Guam EPA is conducting beta testing and staff development in order to ensure efficiency for residents who wish to have the agency test their homes for radon. Guam EPA will inform the residential community when the service will be available once the outreach phase is finalized.

For more information about radon testing and mitigation on Guam, please contact the Guam EPA Air Program Supervisor, Roland Gutierrez by telephone at 671-300-4751 or via email: roland.gutierrez @epa.guam.gov

2017 Hazardous Waste Report – DUE March 1, 2018

08 January 2018

NEWS: Guam EPA reports 32.34% recycling rate – up 3.34 points

15 November 2017

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2016 Program Summary of the Recreational Beach Monitoring Program

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