NevadaRadonEducation Program

Transcription

1 NEVADA A RADON REPORT Inside this Report Page NV Cancer Control Summit 1 NV Cancer Control Plan Field Day 1 National Radon Meeting 2 New Radon banner displays 3 NACO Conference 4 Test kit distribution data 4 Radon in the news 4 Radon in newsletters 4 Radon on the internet 5 Program numbers 6 Radon Program Impacts 6 State test results summaries 7 Radon program provides free kits at Field Day event On Sept. 26, the Nevada Radon Education Program held a booth at the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station s Field Day to hand out radon test kits and educate the public about the radon health risk, how to test and how to fix a home with a radon problem. Field Day is an annual collaboration among University of Nevada s College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension. The public learned about each organization s programs via exhibits, demonstrations, food and fun.» continued, See FIELD DAY, Page 2 Mark Walker, Cooperative Extension Dean, is interviewed by a KTVN reporter in front of the radon booth. A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM THROUGH THE NEVADA DIVISION of PUBLIC and BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Volume 9 - Number 1 - FY 2016 July through September 2015 NREP participates in Cancer Summit The Nevada Radon Education Program (NREP) participated as sponsors at the 2015 Nevada Cancer Control Summit, held Sept at the Joe Crowley Student Union. NREP hosted an exhibit booth both days at the summit and free radon test kits and educational material. The two-day event was hosted by the Nevada Cancer Coalition, a statewide partnership working to prevent and control cancer and its economic effects on families, friends and communities. The summit offered continuing education sessions for cancer registry professionals and breakout sessions focusing on advances in cancer treatment and evidence-based cancer care. As part of the summit, the Nevada State Cancer Plan was unveiled, which included» continued, See CANCER SUMMIT, Page 2 NevadaRadonEducation Program Radon Susan Howe (L) and Jamie Roice-Gomes offered free radon test kits to attendees at the Nevada Cancer Control Summit held at the Joe Crowley Student Union at University of Nevada Reno campus Sept Radon goal now included in Nevada Cancer Control Plan The State of Nevada Comprehensive Cancer Plan was introduced at the 2015 Nevada Cancer Control Summit in September. The five-year plan was compiled by the Nevada Comprehensive Cancer Control Program in partnership with the Nevada Cancer Coalition and cancer community stakeholders. Stakeholders included the Nevada Radon Education Program, health care providers, hospitals and health systems, non-profit organizations, researchers, government entities and programs, insurance providers, advocates, religious organizations, community organizations, and private businesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides funding for the plans to identify how Nevada State Cancer Plan released Sept. 18. states address the burden of cancer and strategies to reduce cancer incidence and mortality. Plans are data-driven, evidence-based blueprints for action, guiding cancer control activities. Plans typically cover a five-year timeframe, and they are reviewed, revised and updated for the next five-year plan. This is the third edition of Nevada s cancer plan and the first time radon has been included, Susan Howe, Nevada Radon Education program director, said. We were thrilled to be included in the planning process. By including the goal of decreasing the average radon concentration within the state, the risk of radon-caused lung cancer will decrease as more people learn about radon, test, mitigate and build new homes with radon-resistant new construction techniques.» continued, See CANCER PLAN, Page 2

2 Page 2 Radon: the topic of discussion at National Radon Meeting International speakers, new research, and the National Radon Action Plan were among a few of the interesting topics and speakers at the 2015 National Radon Training Conference held Sept , in Bloomington, Minnesota. The annual information-rich conference allows the opportunity for state radon programs, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon industry professionals, and other national and international organizations to collaborate in efforts to reduce the risk of radon-caused lung cancer. Many exciting speakers attended the conference. Keynote speaker, Dr. Antonio Neri, M.D., MPH from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), discussed a homebuyer notification study and survey with Realtors in Minnesota, Ohio, Iowa and Illinois, as well as several focus groups. The study was to understand what Realtors knew and didn t know about radon and how it impacted their business and clients. They found that sales were not generally lost on radon issues alone. Other speakers included Tony Colgan from Dr. Antonio Neri, MD, MPH, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Cancer Summit Continued from Page 1 radon for the first time. The five-year plan addresses the cancer burden in Nevada to prevent and reduce cancer incidence and mortality. (See Cancer Control Plan article for more comprehensive details.) Included among the 115 attendees were cancer registry professionals, pediatric and general oncology professionals including physicians, nurses and administration, cancer advocates, survivors, educators and public health professionals. Sponsors included government and public health organizations, cancer centers and hospitals, and pharmaceutical representatives. Next year s summit will be held in September 2016 in Las Vegas. Cancer Plan Continued from Page 1 the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), who informed the crowd that for the first time, radon is included in the International Basic Safety Standards in Europe. Dr. Aaron Goodarzi from the University of Calgary spoke about research on the genetic risk of lung cancer and alpha radiation from radon. Janice E. Nolen, assistant vice president, National Policy, Radon is referenced on pages in the Lung Cancer section of Cancer Profiles as another preventable source of lung cancer. It is Goal 1.6 in the Primary Prevention section. Objectives of the goal include increasing (by specific numbers) the number of homes for radon, increase the number of mitigated homes, and increase the number of new homes built with radon-resistant new construction techniques. At the end of the plan, there is a section entitled What You Can Do. Three suggestions include 1) If you are a Nevadan, you can test your home for radon and fix radon problems. 2) If you are a community or faith-based organization, you can promote radon-resistant new construction, testing for radon, and fixing radon problems. and 3) If you are a physician or health insurance agency you can recommend patients test their homes for radon and fix radon problems. All 50 states have a cancer plan, but only about 32 cancer control plans mention radon and include activities to reduce radon exposure. To view Nevada s cancer plan, visit the Nevada Cancer Coalition website at To view other state cancer plans, visit the CDC website at American Lung Association (ALA), revealed details of the National Radon Action Plan (NRAP), a collaboration among 12 groups: ALA, American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists, Cancer Survivors Against Radon, Children s Environmental Health Network, Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction, Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors, Environmental Law Institute, National Center for Healthy Housing, and U.S. Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services and EPA. Nolan said NRAP s goal is to eliminate preventable lung cancer caused by radon. She said that if they reduce radon in 5 million homes, apartments, schools and childcare centers, they can prevent 3,200 lung cancer deaths. Among other actions, reducing radon will be done with the use of requirements from housing finance and insurance programs, radon testing and mitigations, Radon-Resistant New Construction building codes, and state and local laws requirements in real estate transactions. Field Day Continued from Page 1 The event brought in more than 500 attendees, where 132 of those individuals visited the Radon Education booth. About 57 radon test kits were. John Genasci, radon program volunteer, interacts with Field Day attendees. Jamie Roice-Gomes hands out radon test kits at the radon booth at Field Day. Mark Walker, dean of University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, was interviewed by KTVN Ch. 2 news in front of the Radon booth at Field Day. Volunteer John Genasci frequently helps the Nevada Radon Education Program with behind the scenes tasks. Here he is assisting in the preparation of radon test kit distribution.

3 Volume 9 - Number 1 - FY 2016 Page 3 Radon Education Program develops educational banners Two visual aides were produced by the Nevada Radon Education Program this quarter. The banners will help the program to explain general radon information, mitigation or radon-reducing new construction techniques. They will be used during fairs, home shows, and other events. This banner depicts why radon is a concern, where it originates, how any home can have a radon problem, the health risk, the EPA Action Level, how to test for radon, fix homes with radon problems, and build new homes radon-resistant. This banner depicts how Radon can get into homes, how new homes can be built to resist radon entry, and how homes with radon problems can be fixed.

4 Page 4 Cooperative Extension promotes programs at NACO conference The 2015 Nevada Association of Counties (NACO) Annual Conference was held Sept. 29-Oct. 1 in the Aliante Casino Hotel in North Las Vegas. According to their mission statement, NACO encourages county government to adopt and maintain local, regional, state and national cooperation which will result in a positive influence on public policy and optimize the management of county resources; to provide valuable education and support services that will maximize efficiency and foster public trust in county government. The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension held a booth at the conference to display the 4-H, Living with Fire, and Nevada Radon Education programs within Cooperative Extension. During the three-day conference, 11 test kits were. Test kit distribution for quarter The data in the three charts on this page show that 186 short-term test kits were at events, by mail order requests, and at Cooperative Extension and partner offices during the July through September quarter. At least 48 test kits, or 25.8 percent, of those during the quarter, were used as of Sept. 30. Short-term test kits from Special Projects, Partners and Cooperative Extension offices from July-September 2015 Distribution point No. kits No. % Douglas County Cooperative Extension % - Tahoe Regional Planning Agency % Elko County Cooperative Extension 2 0 0% Lander County Cooperative Extension % Mineral County Cooperative Extension 2 0 0% Washoe County Cooperative Extension % - Incline Village Recreation Center % - Pulmonary & Critical Care cpn % Mitigator Norm Denny % TOTALS % Jamie Roice-Gomes, radon education coordinator, Claudene Wharton, communications specialist, and Frank Flavin, Northern Area director, represented Cooperative Extension at the Nevada Association of Counties annual conference held Sept. 29 to Oct. 1 at the Aliante Casino Hotel in North Las Vegas. Radon in the news... Short-term test kits at Programs and Events from July-September 2015 Date Program Distribution point No. kits Radon in newsletters... No. kits No. Short-term test kits by Mail with Coupons, Phone, or Online orders from July-September 2015 No. % 9/17/15 Nevada Cancer Summit % 9/26/ Field Day % 9/30/15 NACO Conference % Program Totals % % Mail order requests through Eventbrite % Mail order requests from Website coupons % TOTALS % Sept. 25, 2015 Lahontan Valley News July 2015 Dean s Update Newsletter Sept. 11, 2015 Lahontan Valley News July 2015 Nevada Wellness e-blast

5 Volume 9 - Number 1 - FY 2016 Page 5 Radon on the internet UNCE.unr.edu snewsi.com radonleaders.org rgj.com unr.edu/nevada-today/news nevadaappeal.com tahoeradon.com extension.oregonstate.edu/weda ktvn.com facebook.com/washoecounty4h bdbryansci.blogspot.com ThisisReno.com ccsd.net

6 Page 6 Radon Education Program Numbers prior to Sep 07 UNCE Radon Program Numbers FY 08 FY 09 FY 10 FY 11 FY 12 FY 13 FY14 FY15 Totals Radon phone and inquiries 2,136 2,688 1,911 2,209 1,946 3,148 1,893 1, ,340 Direct contacts promoting radon testing and mitigation 3,259 14,000 10,428 7,862 7,768 8,416 9,205 9, ,557 Newspaper/magazine articles Radon publications/info 2,798 67,071 59,378 58,545 99, , , ,637 24, ,849 Number of radon exhibits Number of TV reports Number of TV PSAs ,973 Number of radio PSAs ,755 5,926 6,435 16,355 Website pages of NV Radon information , ,063 Eventbrite page views Website page hits 29,466 59,288 75,920 85, , , ,969 48, ,078 Test kits 971 2,469 8,208 5,321 4,829 3,993 4,929 5,219 5, ,484 Homes -Short-Term 1,574 1,316 4,062 2,590 2,339 2,025 2,043 2,436 2, ,873 Homes -Long Term School buildings School buildings mitigated Homes mitigated Homes with repaired mitigation system or fan replacements Large buildings Large buildings mitigated Homes in Real Estate transaction ,374 Homes built with RRNC features Number of certified Mitigators Number of Builders using RRNC No. of Realtors promoting Radon testing Jul Sep 15 County # Valid ST tests* Nevada Radon Education Program's Impact Data as of % Radon Potential of Usable ST Test Results* % kits /used** % Homes * % Mitigations # # Homes % Radon Homes > 4 pci/l Potential < 4 pci/l Average ST radon level pci/l Maximum ST radon level pci/l # long & shortterm test kits # test kits used % of test kits used # Households # Homes % Homes # Homes that need mitigated # Homes mitigated # Real Estate # RRNC # Homes in % Homes a real estate mitigated transaction Carson City 1, % ,286 1, % 23,464 1, % % Churchill % % 10, % % 11 3 Clark 2,296 2, % ,665 2, % 863,010 3, % % Douglas 3,443 2,078 1, % ,756 5, % 23,776 3, % 1, % Elko % % 20, % % 9 1 Esmeralda % % % 0 0 Eureka % % 1, % 8 0 0% 1 Humboldt % % 7, % % 4 2 Lander % % 2, % % 9 1 Lincoln % % 2, % % 1 Lyon % , % 22, % % Mineral % % 2, % % 4 Nye % % 21, % % 8 1 Pershing % % 2, % % 3 Storey % % 1, % 7 0 0% Washoe 7,630 5,969 1, % ,670 9, % 187,142 9, % 1, % White Pine % % 4, % % 6 1 Unknown % % % 2 17,366 12,797 4, % ,476 22, % 1,198,907 21, % 4, % *# Valid and # Homes Tested: Data from the Nevada Radon Program's database of test results was combined with information provided from certified Radon Measurement and Mitigation Providers, as well as AccuStar Lab, Alpha Energy Laboratories, Pro Lab, Air Chek Inc., Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health- Radiation Control Program and the Washoe County District Health Department. The Household data is from 2014 Census data. **# Test kits Distributed: includes only short- and long-term tests by the Nevada Radon Education Program, Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health- Radiation Control Program, and the Washoe County District Health Department. # Homes built RRNC

7 Volume 9 - Number 1 - FY 2016 Page 7 Total number of usable tests per county EPA Action Level <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 No. of short-term radon test results , ,078 1, % of homes that have elevated radon levels Total number of usable tests per county Eureka 26 Humboldt 187 Lander 108 Lincoln 73 Lyon 825 Mineral 88 EPA Action Level <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 No. of short-term radon test results % of homes that have elevated radon levels 30.77% 36.36% 16.67% 32.88% 29.21% 42.05% Total number of usable tests per county Nevada Radon Short-Term Test Results* From 1989 to September 30, 2015 Carson City Churchill Clark Douglas Elko Esmeralda 1, ,296 3, % 14.70% 8.97% 39.65% 38.98% sample size too small Nye Pershing Storey Washoe White Pine TOTALS , ,366 EPA Action Level <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 No. of short-term radon test results ,969 1, ,797 4,569 % of homes that have elevated radon levels 9.09% 56.41% 25.93% 21.77% 30.81% 26.31% *State data provided by the Nevada State Health Division, Nevada certified radon testers and the following labs: AccuStar Labs, Alpha Energy Laboratories, Air Chek, Inc. and Pro Lab. Results based on independently homes, not scientific sampling. When known, post-mitigation results are not included and usable results are valid tests, one per home, using an average of multiple tests from the lowest level of the home. (Schools & large buildings not included.) Nevada Radon Long-Term Test Results** Carson City From January 2001 to September 30, 2015 Churchill Clark Douglas Elko Humboldt Lander Lincoln Lyon Pershing Washoe Total number of usable tests per county EPA Action Level <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 <4.0 >4.0 No. of long-term radon test results % of homes that have high radon 58.5% 0% 18.4% 27.7% 44% 25.0% 100% 100% 20.6% 33.3% 26.3% 25.0% 29.35% levels *Data for long-term results was cleaned for test results greater than the EPA protocol period, therefore, there are less results than last quarter. **State data provided by RSSI, Alpha Energy Laboratories and AccuStar Labs. Results based on independently homes, not scientific sampling. When known, post-mitigation results are not included and usable results are valid tests, one per home, using an average of multiple tests from the lowest level of the home. (Schools & large buildings not included.) Zones Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Zones Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 Radon Zone Summaries Nevada Radon Zone Short-Term Test Result Summary Total > 4 pci/l % high radon Counties Carson City, Douglas, Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, 6,386 2, % Pershing, White Pine Churchill, Elko, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Nye, Storey, Washoe 8,684 1, % Clark 2, % Statewide statistics 17,366 4, % Nevada Radon Zone Long-Term Test Result Summary Counties Carson City, Douglas, Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, White Pine Churchill, Elko, Esmeralda, Humboldt, Nye, Storey, Washoe Clark Total > 4 pci/l % high radon % % % Statewide statistics % White Pine TOTALS The University of Nevada, Reno is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, creed, national origin, veteran status, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, or genetic information in any program or activity it operates. The University of Nevada employs only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This publication is supported by the Nevada State Division of Public and Behavioral Health through Grant Number K from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not represent the offi cial views of neither the Division nor the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.