By Margaret Henderson
With press releases, local news coverage and proclamations, during Radon Action Month, the state radon programs and their partners raised awareness about indoor radon and the need for testing and the significance of health effects of elevated radon levels.
A sampling of announcements and coverage include these states and media links that announced Radon Action Month and associated activities.
Michigan
In Michigan, leading with a proclamation from Governor Rick Snyder, the importance of Radon Action Month was highlighted, cautioning about exposure to elevated levels, the need for testing, (27 percent of all radon tests conducted statewide returned results at or above 4.0 pCi/L, the EPA recommended action level), and advising that the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, local health departments, and other statewide partners encourage testing of homes, reducing elevated levels of radon, and incorporating radon-resistant features into new home construction. For the full proclamation, see
Michigan’s Rick Snyder Proclamation, January, 2015: Radon Action Month at
http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57577_59874-344429--,00.html
Another announcement was published in the Lansing, Michigan, PR Newswire,
“National Radon Action Month - The Surgeon General and EPA are urging all Americans to test home radon levels,” at http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/national-radon-action-month-the-surgeon-general-and-epa-are-urging-all-americans-to-test-home-radon-levels-300018210.html.
In Michigan City, “Residents urged to test radon levels this month,” was published at http://www.thenewsdispatch.com/features/article_45bf413a-99fa-11e4-91e2-f7836b2cabb4.html and other coverage included “Radon Action Month” published
at http://www.wwmt.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/Radon-Action-Month-68215.shtml#.VLVS3UtkrRo .
Iowa
Iowa’s Governor Branstad signed a Radon Action Month Proclamation at the Iowa State Capitol
in Des Moines. See https://governor.iowa.gov/2015/01/gov-branstad-signs-radon-action-month-proclamation/
Pennsylvania
From Harrisburg, PA, an announcement was released, “Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Reminds Pennsylvanians that January is Radon Action Month,” in an article on http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2423090
Minnesota
“City of Minneapolis News: Minneapolis gives away free radon test kits for Radon Action Month” was published at http://site.webbercamden.org/2015/city-of-minneapolis-news-minneapolis-gives-away-free-radon-test-kits-for-radon-action-month/
Additional coverage ran in the Minnesota, Forest Lake Times, with an article “Radon testing encouraged this month,” at http://forestlaketimes.com/2015/01/13/radon-testing-encouraged-this-month/
Illinois
The Illinois Emergency Management Agency issued a press release “IEMA Encourages People to Test Homes for Radon During Radon Action Month in January” on http://www3.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=2&RecNum=12933
Kansas
Kansas Radon Action Month was announced on http://www.kansasradonprogram.org/kram, advising the public that television and radio public service messages are scheduled to air January 15 through March 15, 2015, in association with the Kansas Association of Broadcasters. The announcement reminded that: “Winter is an excellent time for Kansas residents to test their homes for radon.”
West Virginia
In West Virginia, “January National Radon Action Month – Help prevent lung cancer in 2015 by spreading awareness,” appeared at http://mountainmessenger.com/january-national-radon-action-month-help-prevent-lung-cancer-2015-spreading-awareness/
New Jersey
New Jersey coverage included articles such as:
• “January 2015 is National Radon Action Month. The Surgeon General and EPA urges everyone to test radon during National Radon Action Month,” published on
http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2015/01/09/newswire/doc54af77946e230058300406.txt; and
• “January 2015 is National Radon Action Month,” published by Asbury Park Press at
http://www.app.com/story/getpublished/2015/01/09/january-2015-is-national-radon-action-month/21520933/
Also, New Jersey mayors emphasized Radon Action Month. Mayor Stephen K. Pote issued a proclamation at http://watchungnj.gov/notices/Radon_action_month_121814.pdf as did Mayor Anthony R. Suarez who announced “ Borough of Ridgefield Announces Radon Action Month” at http://www.ridgefieldnj.gov/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC=%7BD65B283A-52AF-4984-8223-FDC4DDC65359%7D&DE=%7BF8607941-2A46-4FD4-AF10-5E82FDCF5395%7D
Ohio, Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Alabama
Announcements about Radon Action Month in several states included:
• Richland Ohio Public Health, publishing “January is Radon Action Month, Health Department Encourages Testing of Homes for Radon Gas Presence,” at http://www.richlandhealth.org/news/2015/01/07/radon-action-month;
• Carolina Business Connection, announcing “January 2015 is National Radon Action Month. The Surgeon General and EPA urges everyone to test radon during National Radon Action Month,” at http://www.carolinabusinessconnection.com/pr/january-2015-national-radon-action-month-surgeon-general-epa-urges-everyone-test-radon-national-radon-action-month/;
• South Carolina ETV Radio, publishing an informative article and audio entitled “Radon Action Month” at http://etvradio.org/post/radon-action-month;
• Virginia’s and Tennessee’s announcement in the Bristol Herald Courier entitled “January 2015 declared National Radon Action Month,” at http://www.tricities.com/news/article_312a0a46-92c7-11e4-b830-a7a9c8b83f58.html; and
• Alabama, Environmental Education in Alabama, announced “National Radon Action Month” at http://eeinalabama.org/net/calendar/details.aspx?c=5375982&s=61474.0.0.37934
Through various media, including newspapers, videos, radio, television, web-based publications, and official proclamations, the state radon program have released information and partnered with news organizations to promote Radon Action Month and raise awareness about the importance of testing and mitigation to public health.
United States