Radon Action Month (January 2017) Copyright 2014
City of Dubuque Proclamation(s) # 1.
ITEM TITLE: Radon Action Month (January 2017)
SUMMARY:
SUGGESTED DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Radon Action Month Proclamation Supporting Documentation
Radon Fact Sheet Supporting Documentation
THE CITY OF
0
DUBBf&E
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
P_11DX0CLAMAT10N
WHEREAS, radon is a colorless, odorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas that
threatens the health of our citizens; and
WHEREAS, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United
States and the number one cause among non-smokers; and
WHEREAS, U.S. EPA surveys in Iowa have found that 7 in 10 homes have an
elevated radon level; and
WHEREAS, any home in Dubuque may have an elevated level of radon, even if other
homes in the same neighborhood do not; and
WHEREAS, testing for elevated radon levels is simple and inexpensive, and identified
radon problems can be fixed; and
WHEREAS, the City of Dubuque's Health Services Department, the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and Patterson Comfort & Safety are
supporting efforts to encourage Americans to test their homes for radon,
mitigate elevated levels of radon, and build new homes with radon-
resistant materials and features.
NOW THEREFORE, I, ROY BUOL, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA, ON
BEHALF OF THE CITY COUNCIL, STAFF AND THE CITIZENS OF DUBUQUE, DO
HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF JANUARY 2017 AS
"RADON ACTION MONTH"
IN THE CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the Great Seal of the City
of Dubuque to be affixed this 3rd day of
January, 2017.
Roy D. Buol, Mayor
Attest:
Trish L. Gleason, CIVIC, Assistant City Clerk
2017: Submitted and accepted by Robb Beltran, Marketing Manager for Patterson
Comfort & Safety, 563-556-4587, rbeltran(cDpattersonhc.com; and Owner Bret Patterson
AP United States
Environmental Protection EPA 402/F-12/005 I February 2013
BASIC RADON FACTS
The U.S. Surgeon General recommends ALL homes be tested for radon gas.
Breathing radon in your home can cause lung cancer
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas released in rock, soil and water that can build up to
dangerous levels inside any home; this means new and old homes, well sealed and drafty homes, and
homes with or without a basement. Radon gas is odorless and invisible and the only way to know if your
home has a radon problem is to test for it.
Breathing radon can increase your risk of lung cancer. Radon is the number one cause of lung cancer
among people who do not smoke. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer for people who do. EPA
estimates that radon causes more than 20,000 deaths from lung cancer each year in the U.S. If you smoke
and your home has a high radon level, your risk of lung cancer can increase even more.
Radon has been found in every state
Homes with high levels of radon have been found in every state. In fact, radon levels can vary greatly from
home to home--even levels next door can be very different.
Radon is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L), a measurement of radioactivity. In the United
States, the average indoor radon level is about 1.3 pCi/L. The average outdoor level is about 0.4 pCi/L. The
U.S. Surgeon General and EPA recommend fixing
homes with radon levels at or above 4 pCi/L. EPA
also recommends that people think about fixing Radon is a serious health
their homes for radon levels between 2 pCi/L
and 4pCi/L. risk. It can be reduced
You should test for radon easily and cost-effectively.
Testing your house for radon is easy. If your
house has a radon problem, it can be fixed.
Fixing a radon problem reduces the risk of lung Take action today.
cancer for you and your family.
Encourage your friends
A simple test will tell you if your home has a
high radon level. Most radon tests last between and family members to
2 and 7 days. It's as easy as opening a package,
and putting the test kit in the right place. After do the same !
sending the test kit back to the address in the
package,the company will send your radon test
results in about 2 weeks.
Many local home improvement or hardware stores
sell test kits. Test kits can be ordered online too. How to Get Radon Test Kits
Sometimes you can get a test kit from your state radon
office. You also can hire a qualified tester to do a radon To • radon
test for you. Your state radon program may keep a list ■ Buy a test kit online or at your local .
of these professionals. improvement or hardware . -
. Many
kits are priced under 00
Kansas State University, under a cooperative 0 Order a test kit
t www.sosradon.org
agreement with EPA, provides national radon program or by calling 8•0 • •
services, including selling radon test kits and answering 767-7236).
toll-free radon hotlines. For more information about
radon testing call 1-800-SOS-RADON (1-800-767-7236) ■ Request ' your "
or visit www.epa.gov/radon/radontest.html. program, ' has informationon
radon . , . , laboratories
You can fix a radon problem in your
Help is available to fix a radon problem. You can
call your state radon office to find qualified radon
mitigators in your area. Also local companies with
radon mitigators are in the phone book or online. The cost to reduce radon depends on how your home
was built and how you use it. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home
repairs.
New homes can be built with radon-resistant features
Building new homes with simple and cost-effective radon-resistant features can reduce radon entry.
Contact your builder or visit www.epa.gov/radon/rrnc/index.html for more information.
Every home should be tested before, or soon after, you move in. Even homes built with radon-resistant
construction features should be tested. If high radon levels are found, it is easier and costs less to reduce
radon levels in homes that are built radon-resistant.
The space below can be used for local contact or business information.
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