"Our schools are supposed to be safe places for children to learn and grow. it is our responsibility as citizens to assure this. We routinely, by law, test the drinking water for safety,- remove or contain asbestos, and inspect school kitchens and buildings. How simple it would be to also require radon testing. Radon testing in schools would also provide an opportunity to better educate the public about radon being the second leading cause of lung cancer. As a school administrator I know this would be a simple task to require. As a nonsmoker blindsided by Stage 4 lung cancer, I know this testing can save lives and health care costs, and educate the public. Our children deserve this." -- Corinne C. Pert,M.Ed, CAGS. Blue Hill, ME
My name is Stephanie Peace. I am 45 years old and have been a teacher for 23 years now. In July of 2016. I found out I had non smokers lung cancer stage 4. How could this be? My family is devastated. As one fighting for their life, you would want to know how this could have happened seeing as you are not a smoker. All my years working in different schools and watching so many teachers I have known fall victim to cancer sends chills down my spine. There must be some correlation between all the years breathing in possible toxins in our schools that cause not just lung cancer but also many cancers. Radon is an odorless gas that seems, was a no-brainer, as to how I got this terminal illness. As a radon awareness advocate and still working teacher and mom of three, I am strongly urging legislators to consider radon testing in our schools! With vaping epidemic on the rise as well with our kids, educating and spreading awareness is the biggest fight we can give to teachers working with cancer AND all our youth attending our schools in America! I am hopeful with the right people listening and acting on this, more testing can be done in our schools for this deadly gas, radon.
Thank you,
Stephanie Peace
Cape Coral Florida
2018 Number of instructional days and hours in the school year, by state
29