DURHAM BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Proclamation
NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH | 2019
WHEREAS, radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that may threaten the health of our
citizens and their families; and
WHEREAS, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and is the leading
cause of lung cancer in non-smokers; and
WHEREAS, the National Academy of Sciences estimates that up to 21,000 lung cancer deaths
occur in the United States each year; and
WHEREAS, one in 15 homes across the U.S. have elevated radon levels; and
WHEREAS, any home may have elevated levels of radon, even if neighboring homes do not,
and living in a home with an average radon level of 4 picocuries per liter of air
poses a similar risk of developing lung cancer as smoking half a pack of cigarettes
a day; and
WHEREAS, testing for radon is simple, inexpensive and radon problems can be fixed; and
WHEREAS, Durham County, the U.S. Surgeon General, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, the NC Department of Health and Human Services’ NC Radon Program
and the North Carolina Advisory Committee on Cancer Coordination and Control
support efforts to encourage homeowners to test their homes for radon; and
WHEREAS, many residents in Durham County don’t know about radon, yet need to know, for
the safety and health of their families.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Wendy Jacobs, Chair of the Durham Board of County Commissioners
and on behalf of the Durham Board of County Commissioners, do hereby proclaim January 2020
as “NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH” in Durham County, North Carolina.
This the 25th day of November 2019.
____________________________________
Wendy Jacobs, Chair
Durham Board of County Commissioners
United States