By Margaret Henderson
A busy October 2014, outreach efforts throughout the year, and a three-month campaign surrounding National Radon Action Month (January 2015) characterize the proactive Nevada Radon Education Program of the University of Nevada, Reno, Cooperative Extension.
October outreach efforts included presentations to two schools; two presentations in Pershing County, the county with the highest potential for and highest average radon concentrations; activities with the Nevada Health Conference for medical professionals; and working on the Nevada Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan.
The approach to schools was made in conjunction with the National Radon Poster Contest, encouraging students to enter. The targeted approach to Pershing County was aimed at reaching those residents most at risk. The Nevada Health Conference, an interdisciplinary conference that educates practitioners and health professionals about community health, featured a keynote address by R. William Field, Ph.D., M.S., presenting “Radon: The Leading Environmental Cause of Cancer Mortality.” And the work on the Nevada Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan was undertaken in order to include radon in the prevention section of the 2016-2020 plan.
Beginning in December and concluding in February, free radon test kits will be distributed as a part of the January Radon Action Month activities. Presentations will be conducted in January and February throughout the state, and the Radon Program is busy scheduling those presentations. These will include three to four presentations per week with audiences sometimes exceeding 50 members of the public at one session. Effective venues include community and library groups, and particularly, the library groups’ speakers programs, which are well attended. Other organizations hosting presentations will be the Rotary, Kiwanis and 4-H Clubs.
Along with active outreach across the state, the program maintains a website with useful information and explanations of radon health risk and risk factors in order to focus on cancer prevention and health perspectives. A hotline number 888-RADON10 (888-723-6610) gives callers easy access to the program.
Testing results over the years have shown that of the valid tests, 25.6% of those results exceed 4pCi/L, the EPA recommended action level, says Susan Howe, Radon Program Director. As homes are being built in areas previously undeveloped, building is taking place in mountain and hillsides and in areas with greater radon exposure potential. The program is contracting with a mitigator and former code enforcement official who networks with the building industry, code inspectors, and planning commissioners to bring awareness for the need for radon resistant new construction. Outreach is followed with educational presentations by the program.
Across a broad spectrum of audiences, venues and territory, the Nevada Radon Program gives specific guidance about health risks and mitigations in order to prevent cancer mortality.
Contact:
Nevada Radon Education Program
University of Nevada Cooperative Extension
4955 Energy Way
Reno, Nevada 89502
Telephone: 888-RADON10 (888-723-6610)
Susan H. Howe, Radon Program Director
Website: http://www.radonnv.com/
United States