by Margaret Henderson
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Radiation Protection Section, in partnership with the North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control, has provided input regarding developing priority areas and implementation strategies for the North Carolina cancer plan.
Radon initiatives have been included in the plan, “A Call to Action North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan 2014-2020,” with the goal of implementation during 2016.
In describing Cancer Risk Associated with Environmental Exposures, the report notes that a certain type of cancer is associated with radon exposure. It goes on to include information about radon and a link to the program for monitoring and mitigation guidance. Key strategies for protection from environmental exposures include checking home, buildings, and schools for high levels of radon. The plan strategies for education and promotion of healthy behaviors promote radon testing and mitigation. Individuals are encouraged to test their homes for radon and mitigate high levels.
Included in the portion, “Lung Cancer Objectives,” risk factors include radon exposure. Specific strategies are to:
- Support state and local policies that reduce radon in homes, schools and workplaces;
- Support messaging campaigns which include radon exposure; and
- Encourage radon-resistant new construction and testing and mitigation of radon in schools, daycare centers, workplaces and homes.
Measures include the estimated number of homes mitigated for radon from October 2010 to March 2013 as the base line of 6,886. The 2020 target is to increase that number by 25%.
To see the plan, visit
http://publichealth.nc.gov/chronicdiseaseandinjury/cancerpreventionandcontrol/docs/ComprehensiveCancerControlPlan-2014-2020-(Black-Only).pdf
For more information about radon in North Carolina, contact:
Phillip Ray Gibson
Phillip.gibson@dhhs.nc.gov
http://www.ncradon.org
United States