NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH National Radon Action Month

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH National Radon Action Month Raising Awareness, Reducing Risk, Saving Lives

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH What is Radon? Radon • A naturally occurring, radioactive gas released from rock, soil, and water • Can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings • We can’t see, smell, or taste radon • Can be a problem in any home, school, or building across the country

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH What is the problem? • Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers • Radon causes more than 20, 000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH What is the solution? • Test your home or building for radon – It’s the only way to know if you have a radon problem • You can fix a radon problem – Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH How can you help? • Raise Radon Awareness! - Get the message out about the dangers of radon yearround - Conduct special activities and events in January during National Radon Action Month - Go to www. epa. gov/radon/nram for how you can help.

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH January is National Radon Action Month Who should participate? • Individuals, groups, and organizations concerned about lung cancer and public health What is the goal? • Increase public awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radonresistant new construction practices. • Ultimately save lives from radon-induced lung cancer Now is the perfect time to get involved!

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH Last Year’s National Radon Action Month Results [Highlight recent National Radon Action Month results of your choice (e. g. , at the national or state/local level, or project specific) to provide context and set the stage for development of goals for the upcoming National Radon Action Month]

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH How To Get Involved in National Radon Action Month • Set a goal to reduce radon risk in your community • Plan activities and events in January – Work with radon partners in your community • Publicize your activities and recognize your successes • Collect results from your activities • Share your project ideas, efforts, and results at www. epa. gov/radon/nram/activities. html. • Use National Radon Action Month to kick off a broader radon awareness campaign in your community

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH Engage Different Stakeholders • State radon programs • Tribal Nations and Pueblos • Government agencies • Non-profit organizations • Radon testers & mitigators • Local businesses • Housing professionals • Health care professionals • Human resources, • • environmental, and safety officers at work sites Advocacy organizations concerned about cancer Schools Homeowners’ associations Other community-based groups interested in public health

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH National Radon Action Month Success Stories [Choose from success stories on: www. epa. gov/radon/nram/activities Or www. epa. gov/radon/nram/archive]

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH Tools and Resources Available • National Radon Action Month Web site: www. epa. gov/radon/nram – Consumer information • Information for individuals who want to reduce their family’s risk of lung cancer – Partner information • A downloadable National Radon Action Month Event Planning Kit • A national map showing the activities and events you submit • Regular updates about radon outreach • Success stories • Links to additional radon materials and resources

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH Event Planning Kit • Available for download from National Radon Action Month Web site • Resource to help you plan, implement, and evaluate your activities • Includes many useful templates, tips, and examples – – – Radon fact sheets Media outreach tips Tips for holding a Radon Poster Contest Sample press release, op-ed, and letter to the editor Sample proclamation And more!

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH More Resources • Newsletters – Receive the latest updates in your e-mail • Public Service Announcements (PSAs) – Free print, radio and television PSAs are available for you to personally deliver to your local media outlets • Graphics – Variety of styles so you can customize Web or print materials – Available in low- and high-resolution

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH Sample Timeline: Planning Stage • Summer – Set Your Goals – Establish a baseline – Consider how different activities reach different audiences and contribute to radon risk reduction – Identify ways to track results • Fall – Plan Your Activities and Events – – – Choose your activities Engage key partners and clarify responsibilities Establish your timeline and resources needed Explore ways to publicize your activities and events Submit a brief description of your activities and events to the National Radon Action Month Web site

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH Sample Timeline: Implementation • January – Publicize your activities and events – Track your results – Share your success • Submit a brief description of your activities and events to www. epa. gov/radon/nram/activities. html

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH Sample Timeline: Evaluation & More • February - March – Use your tracking data to evaluate the overall results of your activity – Share your success with EPA and other radon stakeholders – Continue working with your community to raise radon awareness • Promote radon awareness during other special emphasis periods year-round, such as Lung Cancer Awareness Month (November) or Children’s Health Month (October) – Build on your successes for the next National Radon Action Month!

NATIONAL RADON ACTION MONTH For More Information See the National Radon Action Month Web site and Event Planning Kit at: www. epa. gov/radon/nram Contact [provide your name and contact information] Together we can save lives from radon-induced lung cancer!