M4.6: Radon

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Most people are unaware of the radon exposure in their homes. I think education, accessibility, and affordability are factors that affect how many people do radon tests on their homes. If I were to develop a national awareness campaign, I would have three major stakeholders:

 1. EPA

  • The EPA already provides a U.S. map with the zone of radon for each county. Any county with 2pCi/L (picoCuries) or more are identified as orange and red - meaning moderate to high levels of radon. The EPA would be responsible in updating this map and having money set aside for people to buy / order / mail their radon kits via their website. Potentially the EPA could provide the CalEPA with an incentive to reduce radon levels at home through a subsidy or money for other environmental concerns like lead. 

2. Hardware stores

  • Most people can find a radon test in their hardware store. If hardware stores could have a sale or a subsidy from the EPA for to assist people who can't afford to pay for the radon test, it would increase availability. There can be employees and volunteers who can talk with the consumers about testing their home whether they rent or own. It could also help with simple education - and there might be a possibility to have an electronic form for consumers to put their number and have someone call them for a free radon test.

3. Television News Stations / Radio stations

  • People don't know the health risks from radon. If news stations in English, Spanish, and Chinese/Mandarin, etc. educate a few minutes to the risks of radon AND promote radon tests, it would make it easier for people to get a test. Including the EPA site and phone number to order / buy a radon test to be sent to the home would help substantially for those who are bed-bound, elderly, and other vulnerable populations who might not have the time to buy a test or can't afford one. 
Overall, it would require collaboration among a number of stores and funding would be necessary from the federal and state level. If the radon test could be promoted for 2 weeks every year, it could increase people's interest to get or order a radon test. It would be ideal to target homes where there is the highest exposure of radon and move towards homes with less radon, however to reduce the radon in homes with the moderate level, the EPA (federal or state) would have to send the certified individuals to fix the problem of radon in the homes.


Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 21, 2018 at 8:06 PM

    Hi Daisy,
    You have some great ideas when it came to the awareness campaign. It really seems like you were able to cast a wide net (from hardware stores, to federal institutions, and through media) to reach as many people as possible. I like that you considered different cultures and spoke about increasing interest in radon tests in homes with the highest exposure.
    Great post!
    Kera

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 23, 2018 at 3:11 PM

    Hi Daisy,

    Including hardware stores into the campaign sounds like a great idea! I didn't think of that! It would be great because customers would be able to get any questions answered by employees and perhaps demonstrations on how to use the test at home.

    Carmen

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownSeptember 25, 2018 at 9:14 AM

    Hi Daisy,
    I really like your ideas for how we can spread awareness about the harms of radon and the importance of testing! That is a great idea to for hardware stores to have a sale or a subsidy from the EPA to encourage people to test their homes and spread awareness with educational materials and for employees and volunteers to explain the importance of testing. I really like your idea to have news stations provide information in multiple languages and to promote radon tests. Great post!

    ReplyDelete

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