State Radon Programs Discussion

In these times of shrinking budgets, we all need to be looking for alternative funding sources. At last week's conference states shared how they are aligning their radon work with other programs and receiving funding for it.

Presently in Kentucky, the promotion for Energy Star is through our sub grantee contract with University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. At home shows and state fair, a radon booth is set up beside a lot of Home Improvement displays. At this time, Energy Star Indoor Air Plus is not a primary promotion or strategy but this can be changed depending on directives from EPA.

Please add your thoughts and questions!

Thanks!

Key Points in Responding to the Letter from Mr. Moody to State Governors

The NYSDOH Radon Program, through tough fiscal times, has finally completed the approval for Radon Billboards all across the state in Zone 1 Counties. As of now we have 13 billboards on major highways and commuting thruways. The billboard set up was intended to catch the attention of drivers in both directions of their commutes. One way on the highway was showing a happy home with " Build Green. Build Healthy. Build Radon Resistant". The opposite direction was showing a home with " Radon causes lung cancer. Test your Home".

All

I just wanted to get this out there again. Has anyone heard about additional state programs in danger?

We currently have 5 states that don't get grants: MD, VA, AR, LA, HI.

Bill

The newborn radon testing program has been an effective method of testing homes in high-risk areas of radon across New York State since 2004. Over the past 5 years there has been a slow but steady increase in number of test results generated from this program. In June 2009, we partnered with the New York State Congenital Malformation Registry in regard to the hospitals they work with. From their list of specific contact information at each hospital, we were able to increase our number of participating hospitals from 25 in July of 2008 to 61 in August of 2009.

Please feel free to post your questions regarding the Radon Leadership Initiative application process. We hope to address questions through an FAQ process so that the answers will benefit all applicants.

The Oregon Radon Program is looking to purchase a couple of Continuous Radon Monitors. Does anyone out there have any suggstions as to which brands are the best, which ones to look out for, etc.? Any feedback would be appreciated.

The Kentucky Radon Program recently finished a draft of radon regulations for certification of radon testers, mitigators, and laboratories. In 1993, a law was passed for the Cabinet of Health and Family Services to promulgate regulations for certification. An attempt was made in 2005 for state regulations but the regulations did not make it all the way through the review process. It is the goal of the program to have state regulations by 2010. More updates will follow as the regulations move forward into the formal review process with the Legislative Research Commission (LRC).

Here’s the link to The Today Show’s feature on lung cancer last week:
National Lung Cancer Awareness Week!
Radon was discussed as a cause of lung cancer
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/27697338#27697338