By Margaret Henderson
The California Radon Program focuses its primary efforts on screening surveys done in partnership with California Geologic Survey, the subject matter experts for the state. With California’s diverse geology, surveys will be particularly useful in the radon efforts. Thus far, they’ve completed studies for the Palos Verdes Area, Santa Cruz County, Lake Tahoe Area, San Luis Obispo County, Monterey County, Ventura County, and Southern Los Angeles County and have completed a radon zone map for Santa Barbara County.
Although surveys are the primary focus, the state program has a multi-faceted plan for bringing radon awareness to residents. An important aspect of this plan is developing partnerships with other agencies and organizations. Natalia Deardorff, Program Manager, remarked, “It is wonderful to see our county governments participating by supplying local residents free radon test kits.” To further support the efforts of partners, she is building a library of information for county use along with supplying the county with bulk distribution of free radon kits, covered by an EPA grant. The department website is used for providing public information and an update of the site is on the list of actions to accomplish in the future. Ms. Deardorff stated, “My goal is to make it more user friendly.”
Outreach strategy also includes targeting realtors to assist them in spreading the facts about radon and radon testing. The program’s hotline for California residents (800-745-7236) receives an average of three to four calls per day, often related to real estate transactions. A collaborative effort with mitigators and surveyors is another successful strategy Ms. Deardorff has employed since those professionals are out in the county working directly with the residents.
With these initiatives underway, the California Radon Program is progressing in its efforts to educate residents about the need to test homes for radon. By continuing the primary focus of completing new surveys and by updating the database, last done in 2010, with current information, the program will continue to provide guidance to California residents through state and local governments and partnerships with professionals in the field.
For more information, contact:
Natalia Deardorff
Indoor Radon Program
California Department of Public Health
1616 Capitol Avenue, MS 7404
P. O. Box 997377
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377
Telephone: 916.449.5674
Fax: 916.449.5665
United States