The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors announces the recipients of this year’s Radon Hero Awards, both to be presented posthumously to two individuals, both of whom have dedicated a large part of their lives to radon awareness and reduction, and who passed away this year. This year’s Radon Hero Awards will be presented in memoriam to the following persons for their long-term dedication and demonstrated commitment to reducing radon exposure:
Janice E. Nolen
American Lung Association
From as far back as the early 1990’s, when Janice joined the American Lung Association as a program director in a state ALA organization and among the first proponents in the nation for strong building codes that would protect occupants from radon in newly built structures, to 2020, in her role as ALA’s Assistant Vice President for National Policy, she has been a champion for a strong national program addressing radon reduction and strong state laws that made radon an integral part of housing policy. She built her career on a foundation of leadership, service, and the strictest standards of excellence.
In addressing Janice’s achievements in radon reduction, Deborah Brown, Chief Mission Officer of the ALA stated, “There is nothing about Janice’s career that was more exemplary of her striving to accomplish impactful work on radon through collaboration than her leading a diverse partnership of government agencies and non-governmental organizations (eventually called the Leadership Council) to develop, commit to, and persevere in making solid progress on goals and strategies of what would become known as the National Radon Action Plan (NRAP). In all of Janice’s work, not only through her leadership to fulfill NRAP’s bold goals and strategies, but also when advocating for laws or policies, … she maintained a steady focus on the role that radon plays in causing lung cancer and on the mission to save lives from radon.”
Lou Witt
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Lou Witt spent more than three decades educating the public about the risks of radon and helping support programs aimed at reducing unnecessary radon exposure. Lou spent his earlier career at the National Association of Counties (NACo) advancing radon awareness and action, before he transitioned to EPA, where he became a fixture in the radon community. His contributions to radon awareness helped build the foundation of EPA’s Radon Program and set the stage for future radon reduction policies and action at both the state and federal level.
During his many years with EPA, Lou served in several capacities, including project officer for another important radon partner, the National Environmental Health Association, team leader and Regional Coordinator, collaborating with regional teammates to increase education and communication about the risks from radon exposure and advocating for strong public health policies. His communication and interaction skills led him to be the “public face of EPA’s radon and indoor air program” for many years. He often volunteered to staff the EPA booth at various conferences, answered numerous public inquires on the EPA web interface known as ZenDesk, promoted press coverage, partnerships and progress aimed at indoor air health risks, including radon, and developed EPA communication packages to promote National Radon Action Month activities. His tireless efforts to advance indoor air quality, his honest communication style, including a wry sense of humor, and his instinct to recognize the contributions of others before himself, make Lou Witt very deserving of the title “Radon Hero.”
The award is usually given during the annual National Radon Training Conference to an individual who has demonstrated leadership and commitment in reducing the health effects of radon exposure. This year, the recipients were honored during the virtual AARST International Radon Symposium, scheduled for November 9-13, 2020.
United States