Residents in a high radon potential geographic area: Their risk perception and attitude toward testing and mitigation

Journal Article · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1996 · Journal of Environmental Health

OSTI ID:182921

Ferng, S F ^[1]; Lawson, J K

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1. Indiana State Univ., Terre Haute, IN (United States). Dept. of Health and Safety

Boone County, Indiana was identified by the EPA as one of the high radon potential geographic areas. Health education campaigns are needed to prevent resident`s unnecessary radon exposure. In order to design suitable programs, a questionnaire mail survey was conducted to measure socio-demographic characteristics of County resident`s knowledge about radon, attitude toward radon testing and mitigation, support of education campaigns, and the best media to deliver radon education campaigns. A stratified random sampling method was applied for a total of 400 samples. The number of samples from each township/city was a proportion of their taxable parcels. The survey return rate was 39.8%. The data were analyzed by Epi Info and SPSS. The statistical significant level was set at {alpha} = 0.05. The results showed that resident`s knowledge about radon was at a relatively superficial level. There was no association identified between the knowledge of radon and gender, age, family income, or education, except that females more frequently believed in false effects caused by radon. A significant correlation between radon knowledge and home radon tests was observed. Also found in this study was that respondents with better knowledge about diseases caused by radon had more confidence in radon mitigation actions. Newspaper was chosen by respondents as the most favorite media to deliver radon health education campaigns. Health education campaigns for the residents of Boone County might be conducted by local governments and/or other organizations.

• OSTI ID: 182921
• Journal Information: Journal of Environmental Health, Journal Name: Journal of Environmental Health Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 58; ISSN JEVHAH; ISSN 0022-0892
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ATTITUDES
INDIANA
INDOOR AIR CONTAMINATION
RADON
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RISK ASSESSMENT