November 30, 2020
Vice Admiral, Jerome M. Adams
USA Surgeon General
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Ave SW
Humphrey Bldg. Suite 701 H
Washington, DC 20201
Dear Dr. Adams,
In 2005 Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona warned the public about the risks of breathing indoor radon by issuing a national health advisory on January 13. The message urged Americans to prevent radioactive gas from seeping into their homes. He wanted the public to know that with a simple test and mitigation if the level was elevated, the threat was completely preventable. In 2007, after my husband, Joe, passed from lung cancer (we were living with over 4 times the EPA radon action level for 18 years), the Acting Surgeon General, Kenneth P. Moritsugu, told me that people would listen to my story. I did share my story with people all over our nation. However, Dr. Adams, there have been hundreds of stories like mine told since then and still an estimated 21,000 individuals lose their life each year due to this radioactive killer—radon gas. This is a travesty, a natural crisis, and a disaster.
Covid 19 is a killer, but our world is taking a stand against it. One day soon with a vaccine, the coronavirus will be a thing of the past; but radioactive radon gas will still be here and still killing people. The medical community and the general public must engage this threat with earnest concern. Lung cancer is the greatest cancer killer of all, and most times it is diagnosed in late stage when the prognosis for survival is grim. Radon-induced lung cancer accounts for approximately 15 percent or more lung cancer deaths according to the World Health Organization and other reliable sources. Lives can be saved with action from you, our medical community, and state and federal governments. If physicians will ask their patients if they have tested for radon and if they have mitigated an elevated level, more people would take this demon seriously.
In late 2013, I founded Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction, a 501c3 nonprofit with a purpose to assist, encourage, and prepare advocates in making a difference with awareness, education, and action against radioactive radon gas exposure. We hope to effectively educate the public and private sectors about the real danger of living, working, or attending school in environments with elevated levels of radon gas. Please look at our website and join our face book.
While we must protect our citizens against this evil threat by testing schools, homes, and workplaces, mitigation of this radioactive demon is essential-- if it is elevated-- to provide a safer place to live, work, and attend school. Please do your part to make this happen.
With sincere urgency,
Gloria Linnertz
Founder/Director
Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction
618 830 4660
www.CitizensforRadioactiveRadonReduction.org
www.facebook.com/Citizens4RadonReduction.org
618 Evansville Ave, Waterloo, IL 62298
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