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The Facts About INDOOR RADON EXPOSURE

The Facts About INDOOR RADON EXPOSURE. 2006 Radon Risk Information Prepared by Dallas Jones, Chairman The American Radon Policy Coalition (ARPC). Fact Numbers One & Two:. Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers ; radon causes lung cancer in smokers as well.

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The Facts About INDOOR RADON EXPOSURE

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  1. The Facts About INDOOR RADON EXPOSURE 2006 Radon Risk Information Prepared by Dallas Jones, Chairman The American Radon Policy Coalition (ARPC)

  2. Fact Numbers One & Two: • Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers; radon causes lung cancer in smokers as well. • In 2004, the US EPA and the Science Advisory Board increased their radon risk assessment by more than 50% and now estimate21,000 Americans die of radon-induced lung cancer annually

  3. Radon, Smoking & Lung Cancer • 6,579 LC deaths from smoking per 100,000 people in 70 years. • Assuming a population of 280,000,000, this represents 160,000 LC deaths/yr. • 21,000 LC deaths per year from radon. • 87% of LC deaths are related to smoking. • Between 1-5 and 1-6 LCs occur in non-smokers • 12% of all LC deaths in the United States are linked to radon exposure!

  4. Updated Radon Risk Assessment (Deaths Per 1000)

  5. Revised EPA Publications Reflect New Risk Assessment • The New Citizen’s Guide to Radon became available in June 2004 • The New Home Buyer’s & Sellers Guide to Radon became available in June 2005 • Order copies at www.epa.gov/radon/pubs

  6. Fact Number Three: • According to the Science Advisory Board, “radon inhalation is the largest source of collective radiation exposure (and presumably, radiation risk) to the U.S. population as a whole.”

  7. Fact Number Four: • There has been more epidemiologic investigation exploring the association between radon (and its decay products) and lung cancer than any other environmental carcinogen.

  8. Fact Number Five: • Residential pooling studies from both North America and Europe provide direct evidence linking residential radon exposure to lung cancer; “These findings effectivelyend any doubtsabout the risks to Americans of having radon in their homes,” said Tom Kelly, Director of EPA’s Indoor Environments Division. 

  9. Combined Analysis of European Case Control Studies • Dec. 2004 Conclusions: • Collectively demonstrate appreciable hazards from residential radon • Residential radon exposure responsible for 2% of ALL European cancer deaths • Risk of lung cancer increases 8.4% per 100 Bq/m3 (2.7 pCi/l) increase in radon concentration.

  10. Combined Analysis of North American Case Control Studies • March 2005 Conclusions: • Direct evidence of an association between residential radon & lung cancer risk • Extremely consistent with findings from miner data and animal studies • Greatly increased confidence that current risk estimates are not the result of some unknown latent factors or study specific biases

  11. No More Controversy • Experimental exposure of animals, occupational studies of radon-exposed miners and direct observation from individuals exposed to radon in their homes provides a firm scientific foundation that documents radon is a major environmental carcinogen.

  12. Fact Number Six: • Although lung cancer can be treated, the survival rate is one of the lowest for those with cancer.  From the time of diagnosis, only 11-15% of those afflicted will live beyond five years, depending upon demographic factors.

  13. Fact Number Seven: • The World Health Organization (WHO) says radon causes up to 15% of all lung cancers worldwide. 

  14. WHO Press Release (June 2005) • Launching International Radon Project • Initial phase for 3 years (2005-2007) • Increase political & public awareness • Promote sound policy options • Reduce radon’s health impact • Create global radon database

  15. Fact Number Eight: • In 2005, the U.S. Surgeon General issued a Health Advisory warning Americans about the health risk from exposure to radon in indoor air. 

  16. Surgeon General’s Jan. 2005 National Health Advisory • Issued by the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services & Dr. Richard Carmona • SG Workshop on Healthy Indoor Environment concluded Americans spend 85-95% of their time indoors • “Based on national averages, we can expect that many homes owned or financed by federal govt. programs would have potentially elevated radon”…OFEE Edward Pinero

  17. Fact Number Nine: • Because radon is a Class A carcinogen and the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer, the EPA and the Surgeon General recommend ALL HOMEBUYERS test for indoor radon.

  18. Radon Gas & Mold Notice & Release Agreement (June 2004) • As per Federal Housing Commissioner -To be provided to purchasers of all HUD foreclosures • “Purchasers are encouraged to obtain the services of a qualified & experienced professional to conduct inspections & tests regarding radon & mold prior to closing.” • Signing the Release holds HUD and the Agent harmless

  19. “For Your Protection: Get A Home Inspection” (Jan. 2004) • Notice required for all FHA mortgagees • Accompanying letter states,”The revised form incorporates radon testing as one of the components of a home inspection.” • Notice clearly states that EPA & Surgeon General recommend all houses be tested for indoor radon • Purchasers must sign whether they choose to have or NOT to have a home inspection. • Potential ramifications

  20. Experts Advise Inspectors to Disclose EPA Recommendations to Clients: • “The U.S. EPA and Surgeon General recommend ALL homebuyers have an indoor radon test conducted. Radon is a Class-A carcinogen and the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer estimated to cause 21,000 deaths in the U.S. annually.”

  21. I have fully read and understand the disclosure and: • “I choose to have ACME Home Inspections conduct an indoor radon test of the home according to EPA Protocol for an additional fee of $XX.” (Buyer’s Signature) • “Against the strong recommendation of EPA, ACME Home Inspections and my agent, I have elected not to test the home for the presence of indoor radon gas and assume all liability for elevated radon discovered after the transaction closes.” (Buyer’s Signature)

  22. Fact Numbers Ten & Eleven: • Radon-induced lung cancer caneasily be preventedby testing your home and reducing concentrations that are at or above EPA’s 4 pCi/l Action Level • Homes with elevated radon are easily (and inexpensively) fixed with the installation of an Active Soil Depressurization System by a certified or state licensed radon mitigation contractor.

  23. No Worries • There is absolutely no reason for an elevated radon concentration to interfere with a home sale! • Radalink affiliates are fully committed to educating all parties that high radon is not a deal breaker; fixing is a simple home improvement

  24. Fact Number Twelve: • ASD systems also decrease moisture and other soil gases entering the home, reducing molds, mildews, methane, pesticide gases, volatile organic compounds and other indoor air quality problems.

  25. New EPA Study on ASD Benefits • Mitigators have 20 years of anecdotal experience that Active Soil Depressurization frequently reduces indoor humidity • EPA currently studying to quantify humidity reduction • Since ASD reverses airflow between house & soil, other soil gases like methane, pesticides, chemicals in addition to soil moisture are prevented from entering

  26. News of Past Cover-Ups We Should Spread Like..Fertilizer How Radon is Responsible for Most Smoking-Related Lung Cancer

  27. Tobacco Radioactivity • In 1990, then U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop declared on national TV that radioactivity in cigarettes accounts for at least 90% of all smoking related cancers. • Former CDC Director Ravenholt has stated Americans receive more radiation from tobacco smoke than from any other source.

  28. Why is Tobacco Radioactive? • SUPER PHOSPHATE FERTILIZER • Tobacco companies claim it makes for “more flavorful” tobacco • Calcium Phosphate fertilizer is extremely rich in RADIUM 226 (Radon’s mama) • Tobacco plants absorb radon gas and RDPs from the fertilizer. Airborne RDPs attach to sticky trichomes on the leaves.

  29. No Coincidence • Between 1938-1960, the level of radioactive Po-210 in American tobacco tripled commensurate with the increased used of Super Phosphate Fertilizers. • U.S. lung cancer rates increased 10 fold between 1938-1956. • India’s farmers do not use phosphate fertilizers so Po-210 levels are 15 times less in Indian tobacco.

  30. Lung Cancer Statistics

  31. Cover the FieldsCover-Up the Danger • Leaked internal memos from tobacco and chemical companies prove they have known about the danger for nearly 40 years. • In 1977, Phillip Morris confirmed that super-phosphate fertilizer was the source of radioactive polonium. • By 1980, Phillip Morris had figured out how to remove polonium from tobacco, but has never implemented it. ($$$)

  32. It Only Gets Deeper… • When studies were 1st released in the 1970s, magazines did not print because cigarette companies threatened to pull advertising. • Well financed tobacco & chemical companies (eg. Mobil Mining and Minerals) continue to lobby legislators. • Proposed 1984 law to require listing of tobacco additives met severe opposition

  33. “I don’t wanna hear about it!”

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