In this InFocus we update you on what’s happening in the radon community and on RadonLeaders.org.

Stakeholder Meetings: Connecting & Sharing Resources

There have been several radon stakeholder meetings this spring. We want to briefly update you on these meetings, and to share tools and resources that have come from them.

2009 National Radon Action Month Results Are In! Submit Your Feedback by May 4

The results for the 2009 National Radon Action Month are now available! Provide feedback about your involvement in the 2009 National Radon Action Month by May 4!

In an effort to reduce the number of lives lost to radon-induced lung cancer, state programs, radon professionals, schools, and partner organizations across the country worked together in 2009 to raise radon awareness. You reported a total of 1,874 events and activities – nearly two times higher than the number of submissions in 2008; and compared with 2007, more than eleven times higher. Wow!

January is National Radon Action Month, a time when radon professionals, public health professionals, state leaders, and others take action to raise awareness about radon and educate people in their communities to reduce their risk from exposure to radon. In January, stakeholders throughout the nation conduct outreach and host events to raise awareness, reduce risk, and save lives.

RadonLeaders.org National Radon Action Month Features:

• Webinar on using the Radon Change Package to amplify your results to be held on January 6, 2009. For more information view the Webinar listing in the Community Calendar. Register Now!
  UPDATE: Webinar Screencast (audio/video) is now available. Watch the Webinar now!

Although most U.S. children under age six spend up to 40 hours a week in child care settings, little has been done to protect young children from environmental health hazards like radon in child care and preschools. The Children’s Environmental Health Network (CEHN) is a national, multidisciplinary, non-profit organization whose mission is to protect the fetus and the child from environmental hazards and promote a healthy environment by focusing on the areas of research, policy, and education. Recognizing preschools and child care settings as a missed opportunity to address children’s environmental health. In response, CEHN launched the Georgia Healthy Environments for Child Care Facilities and Preschools (HECCP) program in 2006.

Just two months ago we launched RadonLeaders.org and today we are an online community of more than 300 members! Thank you all for helping achieve this important milestone. If you are not yet a member, join today.

What Can RadonLeaders.org Do for Me?

We hope you will make the most out of RadonLeaders.org, particularly the interactive features of the portal, including the community Calendar and discussion Forums. Here are some of the ways you can collaborate with your colleagues on RadonLeaders.org:

• Post your questions to the Forums and check out other postings.
• Publicize upcoming events on the Community Calendar.

Drooling Stars Have a Serious Message About RadonThe toughest thing about filming a recent video about radon — for Douglas County Health Department officials, at least — was dealing with the ad's high-maintenance stars. Many wouldn't sit still. Others drooled on the set. Don't blame the actors, though. They were, after all, dogs.

Nine Midlands pooches made their screen debuts in the public service announcement, which officials submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as part of an EPA online video contest to promote radon awareness.

The one-minute Douglas County video, called "Subterranean Radon Blues," is a take on the music and lyrics of the Bob Dylan classic "Subterranean Homesick Blues." In it, the dogs — not Dylan — flip through cue cards with the help of puppet puppy paws.

Morning news programs have been featuring segments on radon from granite countertops following a New York Times article on the issue.

The Radon Leaders Saving Lives Campaign does recognize that there is radon emanated from granite counter tops, but there is not enough released to add any significant amount to your indoor air. We suggest you read the EPA FAQ about radon and radiation from granite counter tops.

For further questions contact your state radon program.

Marshall Loeb, former editor of the magazines Fortune and Money writes a Daily Money Tip feature for Dow Jones MarketWatch. On Tuesday, August 19, 2008 Mr. Loeb's tip was to test for radon. Read the full article here.