Radon on the RADAR

Stanifer, SR Radon on the RADAR 2.0 ABSTRACT Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality, yet the disease remains highly preventable by eliminating exposure to tobacco smoke and radon. While efforts to reduce tobacco use have been successful, a recent estimate suggests only 13 out of every 10,000 homes in Kentucky have been tested for radon, despite having moderate to high radon risk potential throughout the state. Additionally, radon mitigation rates are unknown. Radon on the RADAR (Residents Acting to Detect and Alleviate Radon) 2.0, furthers partnerships with citizen scientists, local radon coalitions, and community-based organizations established and strengthened during Radon on the RADAR (Hahn, PI; R01 ES030380) to address community concerns about lung cancer and research gaps identified in the first four years of the transdisciplinary, community-academic team-led project. The scientific premise is that by increasing access to affordable radon mitigation, developing effective radon risk communication messaging, automating report-back, and translating geologic and residential characteristics to policymakers and key stakeholders, we will reduce radon exposure in rural communities. Aim 1 is to evaluate a radon measurement and mitigation curriculum delivered by the Kentucky Community and Technical College System using the RE-AIM framework with students and faculty. Aim 2 is to develop and test a communication approach to reach different target groups in rural communities with effective radon messaging. Aim 3 will examine the effect of My Radon Report, an on- line personalized radon report-back tool, on intention to test and mitigate for radon, EHL, and efficacy for radon testing and mitigation among rural homeowners, and track usage and website metrics for scalability. Aim 4 will examine the association among geologic, soil, and residential characteristics and indoor radon values to guide education and better inform radon resistant new construction policy. RADAR 2.0 is innovative in several ways: 1) partnering with the community and technical college system to build capacity for certified radon mitigators in rural Kentucky by offering and evaluating a radon measurement and mitigation training curriculum; 2) evaluating radon testing and mitigation messages with key target groups; 3) developing and testing a library loan program user-initiated, personalized online report-back; and 4) performing in-depth analyses of the limestone paradox, closing a critical gap in our understanding of the role of geologic factors on radon risk potential. RADAR 2.0 will address community concerns about high lung cancer rates by building capacity for radon mitigation in rural communities and discovering radon risk messaging intended to prompt radon risk reduction behavior, .Additionally, we will support public health action by developing an automated report-back website and investigate the limestone paradox to support pre-construction forecasting and radon resistant new construction policy. Keywords: Radon; Tobacco; Rural Population; Capacity Building; Policy Major Goals: RADAR 2.0 will design and test a novel approach to increasing access to certified radon professionals, expand the understanding of radon risk messaging and report-back, and conduct in-depth geo- assessment through citizen scientist engagement and policy development in rural communities.