The purpose of the Radon Coalition is to work collaboratively to address radon induced lung cancer in Kentucky. The radon coalition advises the larger coalition in the areas of outreach, education and policy. Through increasing knowledge about radon testing, radon mitigation and radon resistant buildings the team aims to decrease radon induced mortality.
The team works to educate the community, healthcare professionals, builders, realtors, policy makers and others on the dangers of radon and how to prevent radon induced lung cancer. The group is currently working on revising the radon section of the Cancer Action Plan. The updated section will address collecting baseline data, tracking of the regulation requiring certification of radon measurement and mitigation consultants, outreach, education as well as policy, systems and environmental change.
Radon is a human carcinogen that derives from the naturally-occurring breakdown of uranium. Exposure to radon is associated with an estimated 15,400 to 21,800 cases in United States each year. It is estimated that between 3-14% of the total lung cancer cases are linked to radon. Radon enters homes and other buildings through cracks in foundations, as well as sump pumps and other drainage systems. Problems occur when radon enters the structure, becoming trapped in the indoor air environment. Most radon-induced lung cancers are thought to be associated with low to moderate radon concentrations. Exposure to both tobacco smoke and radon gas multiplies one’s chances of developing lung cancer. There are more radon-related lung cancers in persons with a history of smoking.
– from RADON: What the Public and Policy Makers Need to Know, by American Lung Association in Kentucky, University of Kentucky College of Nursing, Clean Indoor Air Partnership, Kentucky State Radon Program, Kentucky Association of Radon Professionals, Northern Kentucky Radon Coalition
From the Kentucky Cancer Action Plan:
Goal 3: Reduce incidence and mortality of cancers related to environmental carcinogens.
OBJECTIVE 3.1: By 2016, increase the percentage of buildings that are remediated due to radon levels exceeding the U.S. EPA action guideline of 4 pCi/L. (Developmental baseline: Kentucky Radon Program)
Strategies
- Work with existing agencies and organizations to determine the number of existing homes with elevated radon levels that have undergone mitigation, and newly built homes with radon-resistant new construction features.
- Support implementation and enforcement of new statute (2011) regulating use of certified radon contractors in home mitigation.
- Support the Kentucky Radon Program in their efforts to increase public awareness of the potential dangers of high radon levels in homes and workplaces.
- Support efforts to educate health care pro¬viders as to radon-induced cancer risk.
- Support efforts to incentivize radon miti¬gation retrofitting of existing housing.
- Encourage building code changes/enforce¬ment to require radon reduction venting in new construction.
- Encourage schools, daycare centers and workplaces to test for radon at regular intervals.
- Request that the State Board of Education use radon resistant new construction in new schools.
- Encourage Kentuckians to test their home for radon through short-term free kits available through the Kentucky Radon Program.
- Collaborate with real estate firms to test for radon early in the selling process.
- Encourage the dispensing of radon infor¬mation as part of the property transfer process.
Kentucky Cancer Consortium Member Organizations working on Environmental Carcinogens Efforts:
| Organization Name | Contact Name |
|---|---|
| Kentucky Association of Radon Professionals | Kyle Hoylman |
| Kentucky Radon Program | Clay Hardwick |