National Radon Action Month Raising Awareness, Reducing Risk, Saving Lives

1. National Radon Action MonthRaising Awareness, Reducing Risk, Saving Lives

2. What is Radon? Radon • A naturally occurring, radioactive gas released from rock, soil, and water • Can accumulate to dangerous levels inside buildings • We can’t see, smell, or taste radon • Can be a problem in any home, school, or building across the country

3. What is the problem? • Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers • Radon causes more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States

4. What is the solution? • Test your home or building for radon • It’s the only way to know if you have a radon problem • You can fix a radon problem • Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs

5. How can you help? • Raise Radon Awareness! • Get the message out about the dangers of radon year-round • Conduct special activities and events in January during National Radon Action Month • Go to www.epa.gov/radon/nram for how you can help.

6. January is National Radon Action Month Who should participate? • Individuals, groups, and organizations concerned about lung cancer and public health What is the goal? • Increase public awareness of radon, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radon-resistant new construction practices. • Ultimately save lives from radon-induced lung cancer Now is the perfect time to get involved!

7. Last Year’s National Radon Action Month Results [Highlight recent National Radon Action Month results of your choice (e.g., at the national or state/local level, or project specific) to provide context and set the stage for development of goals for the upcoming National Radon Action Month]

8. How To Get Involved in National Radon Action Month • Set a goal to reduce radon risk in your community • Plan activities and events in January • Work with radon partners in your community • Publicize your activities and recognize your successes • Collect results from your activities • Share your project ideas, efforts, and results at www.epa.gov/radon/nram/activities.html. • Use National Radon Action Month to kick off a broader radon awareness campaign in your community

9. Engage Different Stakeholders • State radon programs • Tribal Nations and Pueblos • Government agencies • Non-profit organizations • Radon testers & mitigators • Local businesses • Housing professionals • Health care professionals • Human resources, environmental, and safety officers at work sites • Advocacy organizations concerned about cancer • Schools • Homeowners’ associations • Other community-based groups interested in public health

10. National Radon Action Month Success Stories [Choose from success stories on: www.epa.gov/radon/nram/activities Or www.epa.gov/radon/nram/archive]

11. Tools and Resources Available • National Radon Action Month Web site: www.epa.gov/radon/nram • Consumer information • Information for individuals who want to reduce their family’s risk of lung cancer • Partner information • A downloadable National Radon Action Month Event Planning Kit • A national map showing the activities and events you submit • Regular updates about radon outreach • Success stories • Links to additional radon materials and resources

12. Event Planning Kit • Available for download from National Radon Action Month Web site • Resource to help you plan, implement, and evaluate your activities • Includes many useful templates, tips, and examples • Radon fact sheets • Media outreach tips • Tips for holding a Radon Poster Contest • Sample press release, op-ed, and letter to the editor • Sample proclamation • And more!

13. More Resources • Newsletters • Receive the latest updates in your e-mail • Public Service Announcements (PSAs) • Free print, radio and television PSAs are available for you to personally deliver to your local media outlets • Graphics • Variety of styles so you can customize Web or print materials • Available in low- and high-resolution

14. Sample Timeline: Planning Stage • Summer – Set Your Goals • Establish a baseline • Consider how different activities reach different audiences and contribute to radon risk reduction • Identify ways to track results • Fall – Plan Your Activities and Events • Choose your activities • Engage key partners and clarify responsibilities • Establish your timeline and resources needed • Explore ways to publicize your activities and events • Submit a brief description of your activities and events to the National Radon Action Month Web site

15. Sample Timeline: Implementation • January • Publicize your activities and events • Track your results • Share your success • Submit a brief description of your activities and events to www.epa.gov/radon/nram/activities.html

16. Sample Timeline: Evaluation & More • February - March • Use your tracking data to evaluate the overall results of your activity • Share your success with EPA and other radon stakeholders • Continue working with your community to raise radon awareness • Promote radon awareness during other special emphasis periods year-round, such as Lung Cancer Awareness Month (November) or Children’s Health Month (October) • Build on your successes for the next National Radon Action Month!

17. For More Information See the National Radon Action Month Web site and Event Planning Kit at: www.epa.gov/radon/nram Contact [provide your name and contact information] Together we can save lives from radon-induced lung cancer!