Radon, the Real Silent but Deadly Gas

Radon is a noble gas that is odorless and could easily go undetected. Unfortunately radioactive radon isotopes increase the risk of cancer those living with long-term exposure. Radioactive radon is a product of decaying uranium and enters the home through soil, bedrock, and into              basements and homes.
Radon is the number two cause of lung cancer in the United States. Every household should be aware of their exposure to radon and how to prevent or decrease their exposure.  I would use some of the common social marketing techniques to educate public and encourage healthy behavior change in a public health campaign. A public health campaign requires collaborating with the local health department, creating ad campaigns, collaborating with outpatient offices/clinics in high risk areas and crafting a catchy message. Brochures can be distributed in public health facilities that include information on how to test for and prevent radon exposure.

The infographic below is a great example of how to create a visual representation that is catchy and educational. I would create an ad campaign called, "Radon, the real silent but deadly gas" as humor is an effective method to grab the targeted audience's attention. In addition, I would include educational material of how and who to contact for radon testing and the importance of sealing open cracks in 
basements and along pipes that allow radon to enter in the house.  Ventilation is critical so that radon is less likely to enter the house including improving ventilation in crawl spaces. A ceiling fan, especially those with positive ion generators has been shown to reduce radon exposure up to 95%. When the public is properly educated, they are likely to improve their health.

Comments

  1. MonicaMarquezUSFSeptember 18, 2018 at 5:30 PM

    It is mind blowing that Radon is the number two cause of lung cancer, yet so many people have no idea how important it is to conduct Radon tests and how randon can negatively impact one's health. I think the department of public health should send info packets with radon test so everyone has the equal opportunity and ability to test for radon in their homes so they have a chance to protect their health and become aware of the harmful effects associated with Radon.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Diaster Prepardness

Image
With the extremely poor air quality last week, being prepared for the next natural hazard seems obvious. The city of Mill Valley where I live is engaging in creating a resilient community. Mill Valley fire department is helping neighborhoods become FireWise by educating individual home owners and the collective neighborhood on ways to reduce the risk of fire. FireWise is a fire risk reduction program from the National Fire Protection Association. The fire department chief has visited each neighborhood to hold meetings on this topic. Once a neighborhood has implemented the recommendations that include removing certain brush and debris, cutting back on trees, and eliminating all flammable chemicals, it is certified as FireWise by the fire department. With each additional neighborhood contributing to the FireWise program, the overall Mill Valley community becomes safer and more resilient. As a registered nurse, I am a volunteer for the Disaster Healthcare Volunteers. In the case of a
Read more

Air pollution

Image
Here’s a super brief introduction to air pollution. Simply put, air pollution are chemicals that we inhale that cause negative health effects. Some air pollutants are naturally sourced chemicals like those created from fires, while others result from man-made industrial sites or vehicles. Examples of air pollutants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs,) carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides NO x , sulfur dioxide SO 2 , particulate matter (PM), and lead (Pb). Unfortunately, these chemicals can create secondary chemicals in the atmosphere resulting in nitric or sulfuric acid rain. Air quality is regulated by government in hopes of keeping us safe. The Clean Air Act set restrictions on the amounts of VOCs, CO, NO x , SO 2 , PM, and Pb that was allowed to be released into the atmosphere. I live in Marin county, the land of environmentally conscious people and the land without any industry produced air pollutants. For a county that prides itself in healthy living, the air q
Read more

Environmental Health Home Assessment

Image
It is easy to passively live in our homes without consideration of potential environmental toxins. After completing this assessment, I am grateful that I do not have a high risk of environmental exposures in my home. While I do have emergency disaster supplies, this list is a reminder that I need to update those supplies.  After listening to the TED talk from Arlene Blum about flame retardants, I am devoted to checking all of furniture and bedding for toxic chemicals. In addition, I will be going through all of my children's toys to check for toxic plastic chemicals.  Comment on other blogs: Monica: It is crazy to stop and think about the possible toxic products in your home. Candles seem so harmless, and so do fragrances. I agree. Franny: I agree that this exercise makes you stop and think about what things in our homes can possible make us sick. 
Read more