January is National Radon Action Month. Bob Stilwell, primary
radon contact for the State of Maine since November 1990, answered some
questions about radon and the health risks associated with it.
Why is radon an important public health issue?
Radon is a proven human carcinogen, recognized by the U.S. EPA
and U.S. Surgeon General as the number two cause of lung cancer overall and the
leading cause of lung cancer in nonsmokers. The World Health Organization and
International Atomic Energy Agency recognize radon as a serious radiation
hazard that causes lung cancer and are taking steps to assist member nations in
developing policies and programs to reduce radon exposure.
What are the most important things you do in your role as State
Radon Coordinator?
1. Provide technical assistance and training to the radon
industry in Maine, so the services they provide are durable and effective at
reducing radon exposure to Maine residents.
2. Apply for and manage Federal grants every year that allow the
radon effort in Maine to continue. All Maine state radon work has been funded
by federal grants since 1990.
What do you wish everybody knew about radon?
I wish everyone knew that the “action level” of 4 picoCuries per
liter (pCi/l) for radon is not a “safe” or “acceptable” level. The action level
for radon was set in the 1970s based on the ability of technology at that time
to reduce radon levels in buildings. At that time, technology could
reduce radon to below 4 pCi/l in any building. If radon were treated like all
other proven human carcinogens, with the “action” level set based on cancer
risk instead of on 1970s mitigation technology, the “action” level would be
less than one pCi/l.
