Lung Cancer Victims Implore HUD to Comply
with RADON Laws
(Washington, DC) --- The
American Cancer Society declared April as
Cancer Control Month. The American Society
of Radon Scientists and Technologists (AARST)
are doing their part to prevent deaths due
to radon exposure. "Lung cancer due to
radon is totally preventable and is within
our control," says Peter Hendrick,
AARST president.
Recently, AARST helped two
lung cancer victims (Sue, a 55 year-old
woman from Pennsylvania and Elizabeth, a 37
year-old woman from Wisconsin) along with
Dr. Lane Mathis Price, M.D., F.A.C.R.O., a
radiation oncologist and the Medical
Director of the Decatur Oncology Center in
Decatur, Alabama to meet with the Chairman
of the Senate Committee who oversees the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD). The victim's plea was
simple: control this cancer -- comply with
the federal radon laws; comply with the 1988
Indoor Radon Abatement Act and keep
thousands from dying.
Dr. Price encouraged Sue and
Elizabeth to tell their stories to the
Senator, making an unflinching appeal. Says
Price, "These two women are the
physical and emotional representation of
50,000 radon-induced lung cancer
victims."
When she purchased her home
30 years ago, termite inspectors, which
protect the collateral of banks, were
required. Radon tests, which protect the
health of human beings, were ignored.
"If I had known to test for radon, I
would have done it," Sue stated. Now,
she is fighting for her life.
Elizabeth, diagnosed with
lung cancer at age 37, is not fighting for
her life, she is fighting to prevent radon
deaths. "Radon tests are still not
required. It's crazy. We're talking about
people dying," said Elizabeth.
"We're talking about me dying."
Elizabeth rearranged her
chemotherapy schedule and Sue postponed a
long-awaited doctor's appointment to give
the issue a tangible, human voice. Neither
had ever smoked or lived with smokers. At
the urging of their oncologists, each had
her home tested and discovered dangerous
concentrations of radon, which had been
present for many years. If only they had
tested earlier...
Radon comes from the natural
(radioactive) breakdown of uranium in soil,
rock and water, which gets into the air. It
is found across the U.S. in every type of
structure, new and old. The highest risk
buildings are homes where families spend
most of their time. Not surprisingly, all
government occupied buildings are tested.
The victims plea to HUD? Comply with the
existing laws that require tests in all GSE
loans. Period.
The National Academy of
Sciences and Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) estimate that 21,000 Americans die of
radon-induced lung cancer every year --
nearly 60 deaths a day. The American
Association of Radon Scientists &
Technologists (AARST) estimates 10 million
homes and 38 million Americans are at risk
from dangerous radon exposure. Still, as Dr.
Price points out, "It's extremely
difficult to convince the public of the
seriousness of radon when the nations
leading housing authority - HUD - ignores
laws that would provide protection.
Radon levels are measured in
"picocuries per liter" or "pCi/L."
The higher the radon level -- the greater
the risk from long-term exposure. The EPA
estimates that the risk of dying from lung
cancer from a lifetime of exposure to radon
at a level of 4 pCi/L is 2.3% (more than 2
out of 100), and 6.2% (more than 6 out of
100) for smokers. Exposure to 4 pCi/L is the
equivalent of a non-smoker receiving 200
chest X-Rays per year.
Testing is simple and
inexpensive with kits, which may be
purchased at local hardware stores for as
little as $10.00, or by simply calling the
National Safety Council Radon Hotline at
(800) SOS-RADON.
"Most non-smoking lung
cancer victims die without knowing the cause
of their cancer," admits Price.
"The sad truth is that most oncologists
are so focused on treatment, they give
little thought to prevention. Even when they
discover the connection to radon, it's hard
to rally a victim's advocacy group when most
die within 8-12 months after being
diagnosed."
Sue and Elizabeth will
return to their regimen of chemo and prayer.
The real question is, will our legislators
help control cancer in this country or continue
to turn a deaf ear?
