RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Radon Testing: Community Engagement By a Rural Family Medicine Office
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 617
OP 623
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2015.05.140346
VO 28
IS 5
A1 Barcey T. Levy
A1 Cynthia K. Wolff
A1 Paul Niles
A1 Heather Morehead
A1 Yinghui Xu
A1 Jeanette M. Daly
YR 2015
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/28/5/617.abstract
AB Objective: Iowa has the highest average radon concentrations in the nation, with an estimated 400 radon-induced lung cancer deaths each year. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer death overall. The objectives of this study were (1) to educate the population attending a family medicine office about the dangers of radon, (2) to encourage homeowners to test for radon, (3) to work with the community to identify resources for mitigation, and (4) to assess the utility of working with a local family medicine office as a model that could be adopted for other communities with high home radon concentrations.Methods: Participants obtained a US Environmental Protection Agency–certified activated charcoal short-term radon kit through their primary care office or by attending a seminar held by their medical office. Participants completed a short investigator-developed questionnaire about their home, heating, and demographics.Results: Of 746 radon kits handed out, 378 valid results (51%) were received, of which 351 questionnaires could be matched to the kit results. The mean radon result was 10.0 pCi/L (standard deviation, 8.5 pCi/L). A radon result of 4 pCi/L or higher, the Environmental Protection Agency action level for mitigation, was found in 81% of homes (n = 285).Conclusions: Four of 5 homes tested had elevated radon levels. This family medicine office/university collaborative educational model could be useful for educating patients about other environmental dangers.