Authors:
Stacy Stanifer , Anna Goodman Hoover, Kathy Rademacher, Mary Kay Rayens, William Haneberg, Ellen J. Hahn
Published on 02 Jun 2022
https://theoryandpractice.citizenscienceassociation.org/article/10.5334/cstp.472
Abstract
Exposure to radon is a leading cause of lung cancer worldwide. However, few test their homes for radon. There is a need to increase access to radon testing and decrease radon exposure. This longitudinal, mixed-methods study using a citizen science approach recruited and trained a convenience sample of 60 non-scientist homeowners from four rural Kentucky counties to test their homes for radon using a low-cost continuous radon detector, report back findings, and participate in a focus group to assess their testing experience. The aim was to evaluate changes in environmental health literacy (EHL) and efficacy over time. Participants completed online surveys at baseline, post-testing, and 4–5 months later to evaluate EHL, response efficacy, health information efficacy, and self-efficacy related to radon testing and mitigation. Mixed modeling for repeated measures evaluated changes over time. Citizen scientists reported a significant increase in EHL, health information efficacy, and radon testing self-efficacy over time. While there was a significant increase in citizen scientists’ confidence in their perceived ability to contact a radon mitigation professional, there was no change over time in citizen scientists’ beliefs that radon mitigation would reduce the threat of radon exposure, nor was there a change in their capacity to hire a radon mitigation professional. Further research is needed to understand the role of citizen science in home radon mitigation.
Keywords: citizen science, environmental health, self-efficacy, health literacy, radon
How to Cite: Stanifer, S., Hoover, A.G., Rademacher, K., Rayens, M.K., Haneberg, W. and Hahn, E.J., 2022. Citizen Science Approach to Home Radon Testing, Environmental Health Literacy and Efficacy. Citizen Science: Theory and Practice, 7(1), p.26. DOI: http://doi.org/10.5334/cstp.472
Background
Radon exposure is a leading cause of lung cancer worldwide, accounting for approximately 3–14% of all lung cancers (World Health Organization [WHO] 2009). In the US, lung cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of cancer mortality in both men and women, yet the disease remains highly preventable (American Cancer Society [ACS] 2021). Tobacco smoke and radon exposure cause most lung cancer cases (American Lung Association [ALA] 2021). While tobacco use is the leading cause of lung cancer, radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the second leading cause, responsible for approximately 21,000 radon-induced lung cancer deaths annually in the US (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] 2021). While non-smokers are at risk for lung cancer from radon exposure, for those who smoke or are exposed to tobacco smoke, the harmful effects of radon are even greater. For example, at 4.0 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) of radon exposure over a lifetime, approximately 62 out 1,000 smokers and 7 out 1,000 never-smokers could develop lung cancer (EPA 2021).