I just read about the closing of the radon program in California. Please reconsider this action. Please allow me to provide a few quick facts regarding radon and how the dangers of radon are often overlooked. Radon takes the lives of 21,000 people each year through the development of lung cancer. I’m sure you’re aware radon is a gas that seeps into our homes from the decay of uranium in the ground under our homes. It comes through the concrete and other openings in the structure of the home. The radioactive particles coming from the gas are inhaled and attach themselves to the tiny air sacs, the alveoli, in our lungs. The DNA of those lung cells is changed. The cells develop into cancerous cells, divide, multiply and then spread through the lungs and other organs of the body.
Most people really don’t know or realize the deadly power of radon. I didn’t until, March 8, 2006, one month after my husband died of lung cancer. We had been living with more than four times the EPA action level of radon for 18 years and had no idea. I now know of many others throughout our country who were faced with this same tragedy.
Unfortunately, many people do not know radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer! The radon programs in our states can help prevent these deaths through education for our citizens. Regardless of what state we live in at the time, this knowledge is essential since throughout our lives, many of us relocate to various states due to jobs, family and other reasons.
Please reconsider closing the California radon program for the safety, health and education of the public. The stark reality of the direct connection between radon and lung cancer requires the attention and affirmative action by those in public service to our states and country. There is a web site, www.cansar.org, showing the faces and stories of some of those affected. Unfortunately, most are no longer with us to ask you to reconsider this action because most lung cancer victims only live a short time after diagnosis.
Gloria Linnertz
Waterloo, IL