Communicating Radon’s Health Risk

1. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Lou Witt Indoor Environments Division US EPA National Air Quality Conference San Antonio, TX 2/6/6

2. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Outline • Radon Overview • Communications Strategy • Progress So Far • Challenges • Resources

3. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Radon Overview • Radon is a radioactive gas that causes lung cancer • Radon is one of 133 Urban Air Toxics • Occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium and radium • Radon can be found all over the US

4. EPA Map of Radon Zones* *radon potential, but EVERY HOME SHOULD BE TESTED for radon Legend Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Guam - Preliminary Zone designation Zone 1 - Predicted average indoor screening level greater than 4 picoCuries per liter of air (pCi/L) Zone 2 - Predicted average indoor screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L Zone 3 - Predicted average indoor screening level less than 2 pCi/L

5. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Overview(continued) • It cannot be detected with the 5 senses • It enters buildings primarily from the soil below • Nearly one out of every 15 homes in the U.S. is estimated to have a radon level above the EPA’s action level • Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers in the US – 21,000 deaths annually • There are simple and cost-effective actions the public can take to reduce exposure to radon

6. Communicating Radon’s Health RiskComparative Risk

7. MitigationHow Radon Problems Are Fixed Radon Mitigation System - Sub-Slab Depressurization (SSD) Discharge • Suction created by fan draws radon from beneath the concrete slab and safely vents radon outdoors • Most common type of radon mitigation system Fan Attic Depressurization Piping System

8. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Estimated Costs to Homeowners • Testing: • $10-25 for do-it-yourself tests • About $75 to $250 per test from a radon contractor • To fix an existing home: • From $800 to $2500, with an average of about $1200 • To include radon-resistant features in a new home: • $350 to $500 for system without fan • Additional $200 to $350 for system with fan • Lower costs reported by builders who install some of the radon-resistant features for other reasons

9. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Communications Strategy • Strong science • Use media to build and maintain public awareness and action • Collaborate with States and network of non-profit organizations to achieve results • Work with construction and real estate industries to adopt radon policies

10. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Effective Messages Clear Accurate Tested Benefit-Focused Brief Easy for your target audience to understand Truthful and based on solid science and facts Based on what you learn is effective in moving your target audience to action Emphasize the good things that result from taking action

11. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Communications Strategy Radon is the #1 Cause of Lung Cancer for Non-Smokers Protect Your Family -- Test Your Home Protect Your Family -- Fix Your Home

12. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Partners Doing Radon Work • National Safety Council (NSC) • Alliance for Healthy Homes • Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors • National Association of Counties • U.S. Department of Agriculture Extension Service • National Environmental Health Association • American Lung Association • Rutgers University – Cook College • Kansas State University • STAPPA/ALAPCO

13. Leveraged Partnerships National Media State/County Government Associations Medical Association Local Media Local Health Officials National Association of Home Builders Physicians National Consumer Organization State & Local Consumer Advocates Builders THE PUBLIC Real Estate Agents National Real Estate Association City Health Officials City Government Association Building Code Officials Teachers School Officials National Teachers Labor Union Building Code Association School Association

14. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk • National Radon Action Month • Every January • Significant state, local, and Partner activities • National Media Campaign • Highly successful Radon VNR generated more than 600 stories in more than 50 major markets • Emmy-award winning PSA campaign in 2006

15. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Consumer Awareness of Radon as a Health Hazard

16. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Consumer Awareness of Radon as a Health Hazard

17. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Radon Program Progress • 18 million of about 100 million existing homes in the U.S. have been tested for radon since 1985 (18%) • More than 700,000 existing homes have been mitigated for radon since 1985 • Over 2 million new single-family detached homes built with radon-reducing features since 1990 • 49 States, Wash D.C. and Guam have Radon Programs • 28 States have mandatory property condition disclosures that include radon

18. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Challenges • Keeping momentum in an ‘older’ program • Getting more federal/national organizations to adopt strong policies on radon ( HUD issue) • Helping States increase radon programs’ effectiveness & results • Finding ways to provide assistance for low-income radon problems

19. Communicating Radon’s Health Risk Resources • 1-800 SOS-RADON • www.epa.gov/radon • Phil Jalbert, Radon Team Leader, • 202-343-9431, jalbert.phillip@epa.gov • Lou Witt, Radon Team, • 202-343-9051, witt.lou@epa.gov