Radon From the Ground into Our Schools : Parent and Guardian Awareness of Radon
914545SGOXXX10.1177 / 2158244020914545SAGE OpenMartin et al . research-article20202020
Original Research
Radon From the Ground into Our Schools : Parent and Guardian Awareness of Radon
SAGE Open January-March 2020 : 1 – 8 © The Author ( s ) 2020 https DOI :// : 10.1177 doi . org / 10.1177 / 2158244020914545
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Kirsten Martin 1 , Rebecca Ryan 2 , Thomas Delaney 1 , David A . Kaminsky 1 , Scott J . Neary 1 , Ethan E . Witt 1 , Florence Lambert-Fliszar 1 , Kyle Remy 1 , Shawn Sanford 1 , Kathryn Grenoble 1 , and Jan K . Carney 1
Abstract Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers . Exposure in schools may be harmful to schoolchildren and staff . However , states differ considerably in their approaches to mandating radon testing and mitigaiton in schools . In this study , 126 survey responses were received and analyzed from parents of K-12 children in Vermont , USA . Qualitative data were obtained by interviewing two parents for their views and concerns about radon in schools . Our results showed that only 51 % of parents believed that radon affects the lungs and only 39 % identified it as a carcinogen . 91 % believed their children ’ s schools should act to address elevated radon levels and 87 % supported mandated mitigation . These data suggest that there is already overwhelming support for radon regulation in schools among parents of K-12 children . Parents with children in elementary school were significantly more likely to support radon testing , mitigation , and legislation than parents with older children . This suggests that these parents may be strong advocates to encourage legislative action . Parents with more knowledge about radon were significantly more likely to support radon testing in schools . Educating parents about exposure to radon at school and its association with lung cancer could strengthen existing community support for legislation mandating radon testing and mitigation .
Keywords schools , education , social sciences , law and courts , legal studies , political science , teacher education , health communication , human communication , communication studies , communication , students
Introduction
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers and is the second leading cause of all lung cancers after smoking ( United States Environmental Protection Agency [ U . S . EPA ], 2017 ). Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium in rock and soil . The natural release of radon gas from rock and soil permeates air , groundwater , and surface water ( Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry , Division of Toxicology and Human Health Sciences , 2012 ). The U . S . EPA estimates that radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer – related deaths per year ( U . S . EPA , 2017 ), and residential exposure to radon is positively correlated with lung cancer risk ( Darby et al ., 2005 ; Kim et al ., 2016 ; Krewski et al ., 2006 ; Letourneau et al ., 1994 ; Lubin et al ., 2004 ). Although less well-documented , the level of exposure to radon in schools may be harmful to schoolchildren and school staff ( Branco et al ., 2016 ).
Based on the National Radon School Survey , the EPA estimates that about 19.3 % of U . S . schools have at least one classroom with short-term radon levels at or above 4 pCi / L , the level at which the EPA recommends mitigation to reduce radon levels to a safe range ( U . S . EPA , Air and Radiation , 1993 ). However , 37 states in the United States do not have legislation that mandates monitoring of radon levels in schools . Of the states with radon legislation , only nine have laws requiring testing , whereas four others have legislation describing radon testing as “ recommended ,” “ encouraged ,” or “ voluntary ” ( Gordon et al ., 2018 ). In addition , only five of
1 The University of Vermont , Burlington , USA 2 American Lung Association , Williston , VT , USA
Corresponding Author : Kirsten Martin , The Robert Larner , M . D . College of Medicine , The University of Vermont , E-126 Given Medical Building , 89 Beaumont Ave ., Burlington , VT 05405 , USA . Email : Kirsten . martin @ med . uvm . edu
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