Radon testing behavior in a sample of individuals with high home radon screening measurements
- Univ. of Iowa, Iowa City, IA (United States)
Although radon exposure has been identified as the second leading cause of lung cancer, fewer than 6% of US homeowners test their homes for radon. This report examines participants' follow-up radon testing behavior subsequent to receiving an initial screening radon level greater than 20 pCi/L. Sixty-two participants in the Iowa State-Wide Rural Radon Screening Survey who had radon screening measurements over 20 pCi/L were questioned by phone survey 3 months after receipt of their radon screening result to assess: whether participants were aware of radon's health risk; if participants recalled the radon screening results; how participants perceived the relative health risk of radon and whether participants planned follow-up radon testing. Only 19% of the respondents specifically identified lung cancer as the possible adverse health outcome of high radon exposure, and the majority of participants underestimated the health risks high radon levels pose when compared to cigarettes and x-rays. In addition, less than one third (29%) of the participants actually remembered their radon screening level within 10 pCi/L 3 months after receiving their screening results. Only 53% of the individuals correctly interpreted their screening radon level as being in the high range, and only 39% of the participants planned follow-up radon measurements. Receipt of radon screening test results indicating high radon levels was not an adequate motivational factor in itself to stimulate further radon assessment or mitigation. The findings suggest that free radon screening will not result in a dramatic increase in subsequent homeowner initiated remediation or further recommended radon testing. 13 refs., 1 fig., 5 tabs.
- OSTI ID:
- 5681939
- Journal Information:
- Risk Analysis; (United States), Journal Name: Risk Analysis; (United States) Vol. 13:4; ISSN 0272-4332; ISSN RIANDF
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
290202* -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Sociology-- (1992-)
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
550100 -- Behavioral Biology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BEHAVIOR
BUILDINGS
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
GASES
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
IOWA
MITIGATION
NONMETALS
NORTH AMERICA
PUBLIC ANXIETY
PUBLIC OPINION
RADON
RARE GASES
RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
RISK ASSESSMENT
SCREENING
USA