Community Education Event Air Matters: Radon & The Environment

Air Matters: Radon & The Environment

January is Radon Action Month! Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. This month, take action to protect your health and home by learning more about this silent threat by checking out our recording from the education session Air Matters: Radon & The Environment.

On January 15, community members, health professionals, and environmental advocates gathered for the Air Matters: Radon & The Environment Community Education Event. This vital discussion highlighted the connections between radon, lung health, and the broader impacts of climate change

Radon and Its Health Impacts

Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, forms during the decay of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It seeps into homes through foundations, basements, and private well water, creating an invisible but significant health risk.

The Long-Term Effects of Radon and Air Pollution

Joan Schiller, MD, a distinguished oncology and environmental health expert, opened the discussion by explaining the pervasive health risks linked to radon and air pollution. She highlighted how radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, responsible for over 21,000 deaths annually in the United States.

Dr. Schiller also addressed how pollutants like particulate matter (PM 2.5) exacerbate respiratory illnesses and cancer risks, particularly in children, non-smokers, and other vulnerable groups. She emphasized that these risks are further intensified by environmental factors like wildfires and climate change.

Her message was clear: protecting public health requires urgent action to reduce radon exposure and improve air quality, both locally and globally.  

Testing and Mitigating Radon Exposure

Phillip Ray Gibson, NC Radon Program Coordinator, followed with practical advice for identifying and addressing radon risks. He emphasized the importance of testing homes for radon, especially in North Carolina, where 77 of 100 counties report elevated radon levels. Testing kits are accessible and affordable, making them a vital first step in reducing health risks.

Phillip explained how mitigation systems, like active soil depressurization, effectively lower radon concentrations in indoor spaces. He also shared findings about the broader impacts of radon exposure, including its twofold increase in lung cancer risk for pets living in high-radon areas. His presentation highlighted the pressing need for community awareness and action to address this silent but deadly hazard.

Air Quality and Environmental Advocacy

Rounding out the event, Keith Bamberger, MPA, from the NC Division of Air Quality, expanded the conversation to include broader air quality issues. He detailed how pollutants like ground-level ozone and particulate matter compound radon-related risks and contribute to respiratory illnesses.

Keith emphasized the importance of public education and advocacy in tackling these challenges. Tools like AirNow and EnviroFlash provide real-time air quality updates, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health. His presentation also underscored the role of clean energy policies and community engagement in reducing air pollution and protecting the environment.

Explore Keith’s presentation on Air Quality and Environmental Advocacy

Air Quality Resources

Patient Perspective

Hear the patient’s perspective from two nationally-recognized lung cancer advocates as they discuss radon risks and their own personal stories:

  • Heidi Nafman-Onda, a lung cancer survivor from Colorado and founder of the White Ribbon Project, discovered her diagnosis was linked to radon exposure in her home. Heidi advocates for greater awareness of radon’s risks and encourages others to test their homes and take action during National Radon Action Month. Heidi’s Story
  • Jackie Nixon describes her surprise diagnosis with lung cancer, how she learned about radon, and her discovery that she had been exposed to high radon levels in her home for over 30 years.  Jackie’s surgeon, Dr. Maley talks about how knowledge about radon and lung cancer is increasing in the medical field. Jackie’s Story

Taking Action

For more information about radon and testing your home, checkout these resources below

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Dr. Joan Schiller, Phillip Gibson, and Keith Bamberger for their invaluable contributions. Their expertise and commitment to raising awareness about radon and air quality were instrumental in the event’s success.

More News