Click the link below to read the inspirational story of activist Linda D’Agostino from the latest issue of Radon Reporter, published by AARST. Learn how Linda and others helped plan very successful media outreach in Pennsylvania.

"Lion-Hearted Lung Cancer Victim Spurs Action in the Heart of Radon Country," Radon Reporter, Spring 2010

This article is being reposted. Original Article.

Radon and radiation from granite countertops are on the agenda for a September scientific Symposium.

The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) meet every September to discuss issues related to radioactive radon gas in homes. This year, AARST will have five peer-reviewed presentations on radioactive granite, plus a panel discussion on the topic.

Colorado State University Extension is offering three scholarships for the Center for Environmental Research and Technology Institute Mitigation Course which includes measurement and mitigation courses (each a $595 value). The scholarships also include three memberships to American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) (approximate value of $250). By providing scholarships for mitigation training and memberships to AARST, CSU Extension is providing an opportunity for people involved in construction, remodeling or handyman businesses to get the required training to meet this growing demand for mitigating homes in this region.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council's Radon Awards Ceremony, held tonight at the National Press Club, will recognize individuals and organizations for their contributions to reducing deaths from radon. Radon, a colorless, odorless and tasteless natural gas, is our nation's second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Radon is linked to about 21,000 cancer deaths each year. It is estimated that residents of one in every 15 homes are exposed to unsafe levels of radon.

At tonight's ceremony, National Safety Council president and CEO Janet Froetscher will deliver opening remarks and award the winners of the NSC's 2009 National Radon Poster Contest, recognizing young people for their artistic efforts to educate the public about the importance of testing for radon. 2009 poster contest winners include:

1st place: Shana Stone, age 10, grade 6, Good Hope, Ga.
2nd place: Raquel Goldman, age 13, grade 8, Hollywood, Fla.

The 18th National Radon Training Conference and 2008 International Radon Symposium were held in Las Vegas, Nevada this year from September 14-17. Highlights from the joint sessions include:

• Keynote by Rich Guimond, Rear Admiral, US Public Health Service (retired), Current Vice President, Carrier Corporation, on the founding of the Radon Program and the path ahead.

• Launch of the RadonLeaders.org web portal by CRCPD, AARST, and EPA leadership.

• Premier of the Sock it to Radon media campaign and announcement of the Radon Video Contest Winner.

• New partnerships making progress on RRNC.

The agendas from both national meetings are available here.

James Burkhart, Ph.D., Editor of the 2008 International Radon Symposium Proceedings, is pleased to announce that the 2008 Proceedings are now available for review and download. Research published in previous years is also available for download on the AARST website. There is no charge to download these research papers and you do not have to be an AARST member to use this web database.

AARST associate membership and full membership fees support free, worldwide access to peer-reviewed research, which in turn contributes to international science and the reduction of risk from radon-induced lung cancer. Therefore, all radon professionals are invited and encouraged to consider joining AARST to support this important work.

A CD version of the Proceedings will be published in late October of this year.

The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) held its 40th National Conference on Radiation Control in Greensboro, North Carolina from May 19-22, 2008. The US EPA presented a poster at the Conference on the Radon Leaders Saving Lives Campaign, a Campaign run in partnership between AARST, CRCPD, and US EPA.

The American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST) has released a Position Statement on Granite Countertops and Radon Gas. The Statement is available here.

The 2008 International Radon Symposium and 18th National Radon Training Conference are fast approaching. AARST, CRCPD, and US EPA will build on the Radon Leaders Saving Lives Campaign launched last year, sharing strategies and tools to meet the goal of doubling the number of lives saved from radon-induced lung cancer in the next five years. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas in September!