Introduction
Radon exposure is a pervasive environmental health problem that affects all demographics. Radon is an odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas that has been shown to cause lung cancer when inhaled. Radon exposure is responsible for 21,000 deaths each year, making it the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke. While exposure to radon is ubiquitous, unequal housing distribution, socioeconomic determinants, and environmental policy lead to an unfair burden. While a naturally occurring radioactive gas, the risk of exposure to radon is shaped by social and structural determinants. Historical policies such as redlining, and environmental injustice have assisted in the development of disparities in housing quality and access to radon testing and mitigation. Although research has yet to establish a direct link between redlining and radon exposure, the legacy of systemic inequalities in housing and its implications
for environmental health warrants further exploration. This article explores the intersection of race, history, and environmental health, emphasizing the importance of framing radon exposure as
a public health issue.
Historical Racism and Radon Exposure
African Americans were systematically denied secure, well-built housing during the 20th century via the redlining of mortgage loans and investment in Black neighborhoods (Rothstein, 2017). As a result, these neighborhoods were consigned to housing within communities that were effectively disenfranchised, many of which continue
to this day. While redlining has been prominently associated with homeownership, wealth, and environmental exposure to toxics inequalities, its role in radon exposure has been understudied and warrants further consideration.
Because of the properties of radon gas, it
is virtually undetectable without testing
(EPA, 2023). Because of past housing discrimination, Black families are more likely to reside in homes that have never been tested or mitigated for radon, which increases their risk for exposure.
Social Determinants of Radon Exposure
While radon exposure affects all individuals, certain social determinants place individuals at greater risk for exposure. Socioeconomic status, housing quality, geographic location, and access to healthcare all play a role in who is most at risk. Individuals who belong to low- income groups are more likely to live in older, poorly ventilated homes with foundation issues that allow the entry of radon. Geographic conditions also affect exposure
to radon, so exposure to radon is very heterogeneous. This results in naturally greater concentrations of radon in certain regions, but without the investment in testing and mitigation, residents are unaware of their peril (EPA, 2021).
Access to healthcare also affects how quickly radon-caused lung cancer is discovered and treated. Black Americans experience delayed diagnoses because they encounter many barriers to accessing high-quality healthcare, which also perpetuates health disparities (National Cancer Institute, 2023). In order to mitigate radon exposure, these underlying social determinants must be addressed.
Environmental Injustice and Limited Resources
Environmental racism draws attention to
the increased vulnerability of communities
of color to radon exposure. The environ- mental risk to these communities in conjunction with radon exposure synergistically elevates their lung cancer
risk when compared to populations not exposed to the same environmental injustices. Communities once redlined
and often in close vicinity to industrial
sites, landfills, and other pollution sources have compounding health risks (Bullard, 2000). While radon is a naturally occurring gas, structural inequalities stifle meaningful mitigation response.
Poor Black communities do not have the capital for home repair, such as radon mitigation. Federally funded programs that are meant to assist are consistently underfunded or difficult for the most vulnerable to access. Meanwhile, more affluent white communities have greater awareness and proactive mitigation efforts, which only works to increase health disparities (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, 2022). If not addressed by focused interventions, these disparities will persist in putting already vulnerable populations at even greater risk of preventable lung cancer.
A Call to Action: Decreasing Radon Disparities Public health officials and policymakers must take proactive steps
to decrease radon exposure disparities.
Some of the necessary steps include:
1. Increase Awareness in Black Communities – Public health messages must be specifically crafted to reach Black homeowners and renters via culturally tailored communications and trusted community organizations.
2. Mandate Radon Testing and Mitigation in Rental Properties – Stronger policies are needed for landlords to be held responsible for radon testing and mitigation.
3. Provide More Financial Assistance for Mitigation – Government and non-profit organizations must provide financial support to low-income families for radon mitigation.
4. Fund Studies on Race, Gender, and Environmental Health – More studies are needed for an improved understanding of radon exposure on vulnerable groups.
5. Promote Community and Policy Change – Health professionals, grassroots organizations, and policymakers must
join together in advocating for healthy environmental policy.
Conclusion The role of historic racist policy in radon exposure is an urgent public health issue. While not yet studied specifically for radon, the effect of redlining on housing quality suggests that it may be at the heart
of exposure disparities. This legacy of environmental racism and systemic inequalities continues to dictate who is
most vulnerable to radon exposure and
lung cancer. By addressing these inequities through education, policy change, and community-based solutions, we can attain environmental justice for all. Black History and Women's History Months remind us that the battle for health equity is ongoing—and that environmental justice must be part of the struggle.
References
• American Lung Association. (2022). "State of Lung Cancer Report."
• Brooks, D., et al. (2020). "The impact of environmental pollutants on Black women's health." Journal of Environmental Health Studies.
• Bullard, R. D. (2000). "Dumping in Dixie: Race, Class, and Environmental Quality."
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2021). "Radon and Your Health."
• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2023). "Understanding Radon Risks."
• National Cancer Institute. (2023). "Lung Cancer Disparities."
• Rothstein, R. (2017). "The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America."
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2022). "Housing and Environmental Health Disparities."