Community radon awareness and detection: a model program

A project for increasing public awareness of radon as an environmental hazard was carried out in south central Wisconsin and northwest Illinois using local medical resources. In Wisconsin counties, measured radon levels were equal to or greater than those obtained by a 1986-87 EPA survey. More than 30% of the buildings surveyed exceeded 4 pCi/L, and 10% exceeded 10 pCi/L. Results in Illinois were similar to those from contiguous areas of Wisconsin. In view of the known link between radon-222 exposure and lung cancer, we urge that similar projects be performed by other medical communities across the state and nation.