out to the world, as we give meaning to our lives with vitality and purpose to continue our crusade of saving lives with radon awareness and reduction, is worth hanging on to. Experiencing the encounters of our fellow citizens in neighborhoods, community gatherings, church meetings, and legislative offices gives energy, sparkle, and breath to our lives. Being a part of something larger than ourselves is a good feeling. Sharing expertise and mentoring the new kids on the block transforms the autumn seasons of our lives. We can open new doors of opportunities as we tread these new paths to wholeness and welcome the new generations to making a difference with awareness, advocacy, and activism in saving lives by preventing lung cancer from radioactive radon exposure. In our ranks of the medical communities, lung cancer organizations, radon industry, U.S. government agencies, legislative branches, we have a goldmine of expertise that needs to be shared.
Gloria Linnertz, July 15, 2018
www.CitizensforRadioactiveRadonReduction.org
www.facebook.com/Citizens4RadonReduction.org
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Reducing the Risk From Radon: A Guide for Health Care Providers
Radon is a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless gas that is harmlessly dispersed in outdoor air. But when it is trapped in buildings, it can be harmful at elevated levels.
Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Historically, Licking County has the highest radon levels in the state. Radon test results show nearly three out of four homes in Licking County have radon levels above the EPA action level of 4.0 picoCuries/liter (4 pCi/l) of air, according to the county health department.
In the years since her diagnosis, Cacciato has become very passionate about educating others on the dangers of radon. She recently completed the education required by the state to be licensed in radon testing.
If radon levels are high in areas where a person spends a great deal of time, such as their home, school or workplace, that’s when they are in the most danger, Cacciato said.
"All exposure is bad, but your health risks go up and up as they’re prolonged," she said.
Cacciato said if people have a living area in their basement, such as an office, bedroom or children's playroom, they should test their home.
Radon tests kits are available for free to Licking County residents from the Licking County Health Department through a federal matching grant, said Olivia Biggs, a department spokeswoman.
The grant, through the Ohio Department of Health, also serves residents in Morrow, Knox, Delaware, Fairfield, Perry, Muskingum, Coshocton, Holmes, Tuscarawas, Guernsey, Stark, Carroll, Harrison, Belmont, Jefferson, and Columbiana counties.
Homeowners can fill out an online application for the test kit by visiting the radon section of the health department's website and the kit arrives in the mail, Biggs said.
"The radon test kit is easy to use," she said. "They have written instructions so that it’s easy to understand so that the homeowner feels confident using it."
The homeowner then sends the kit to the state health department for testing.
Biggs said people should test their home every three to five years.
Cacciato said just because a home has low radon levels, it doesn't mean the levels will always remain low. Once the level is high, it will not decrease without a mitigation system.
Homeowners can get one free kit from the health department every year, Biggs said.
If a home does show high radon levels, Biggs said the health department lets the homeowners know where they can find a qualified radon service professional to install a mitigation system to make their home safe.
January is Radon Action Month and Cacciato is trying to create awareness about the preventable cancer by telling her story.
"I don’t want this to happen to anybody else," she said. "If we can help one family or one person understand the risks that are taking place that would be great."
740-328-8513
Twitter: @MariaDeVito13
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Annie Cacciato
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