Connecticut Radon Program and Health Partners Explained
The Connecticut Department of Public Health Radon Program’s 2026 Radon Local Health Partners are named and mapped at https://portal.ct.gov/dph/environmental-health/radon/radon-program?language=en_US.
To understand how these partners further the mission of the Radon Program--to promote radon awareness, testing, mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) throughout the state to reduce the number of radon-induced lung cancer deaths in Connecticut—Amanda Parkins of the Radon Program answered questions explaining the partnership relationships.
From a question and answer interview with Amanda Parkins, learn how the Connecticut Radon Program works with partners.
1. Are these partners local health departments or others?
Most of our partners are local health departments (inclusive of one tribal nation health department); we also have one hospital (oncology department) that has partnered with us for a few years now.
2. How does the state program work with the partners?
Annually in early fall, we send out a circular letter to all local health directors, making them aware of the annual partnership program, which includes free radon in air test kits for distribution to interested residents (while supplies last). Health departments request a number of test kits from the Radon Program, and we supply what we’re able based on demand and availability. The letter also offers local health departments the opportunity to request historical data for their town/district (towns) to assist with planning purposes. The historical data shared typically includes that related to air testing, as well as mitigation:
• Number of analyses
• Number of unique addresses
• Number of analyses where result was at or above 4.0 pCi/L
• Average result (pCi/L)
• Maximum result (pCi/L)
• Radon in air mitigation systems
• Radon in water mitigation systems
3. Do you have activities you share, or suggestions to them?
Prior to National Radon Action Month, we host a half-day partner meeting where all local health departments are encouraged to attend. During this meeting we feature guest speakers on varying topics (e.g., radon in air, radon in water, advocacy efforts, etc.) and past speakers have included EPA, ALA, former CERTI instructor Doug Kladder, as well as Brian Hanson of KSU. We also discuss the previous year’s partnership metrics, such as return rate and then offer a roundtable discussion where departments can share their success stories and challenges. Most have their own planned activities to increase radon awareness and education during the winter months (e.g., tabling at health fairs or other community events, press releases for local media (TV/radio/social media/print media), etc.).
4. Does the State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG) provide funding to them?
No, the state Radon Program receives SIRG funding, which is used to purchase the test kits provided to partners.
5. Do you keep in touch with them on their progress (successes, numbers of activities, etc.)?
We send the partners monthly updates (for January through April) on test kits received/analyzed by the lab. And in this spring, we reach out again to ask them to confirm how many kits they distributed so we can calculate their return rate. Partners will also contact the Program as needed with questions or for technical assistance.
For more information, please contact:
Amanda Parkins, BS
Epidemiologist 3
Environmental Health Section
Connecticut Public Health
860-509-7370
amanda.parkins@ct.gov
United States