RadonLeaders.org feed

Colorado Radon Program’s Statewide Impacts

Margaret Henderson — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:04:36 +0000

Colorado Radon Program’s Statewide Impacts Margaret Henderson Thu, 04/16/2026 - 21:04

Colorado Radon Program’s Statewide Impacts

Contributed by Margaret Horton, MPH

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Radon Program initiatives during the first quarter of 2026 have accomplished statewide impacts. Two of the initiatives are described below:

• The CDPHE Radon Program sponsored the Kansas State University continuing education course, "Optimal Mitigation and Advanced Diagnostics," in Denver in March 2026. A wonderful group of radon mitigation professionals from across Colorado and even from out of state participated. Over the two-day course, the trainees received hands-on training in pressure field extension testing, fan sizing, system design, and more.

• CDPHE launched a new campaign during NRAM 2026. The Program worked with the public library system to distribute educational radon bookmarks to libraries across the state during national radon action month. This project required little effort but achieved extensive, statewide reach.

For more information, contact:
Margaret Horton, MPH
Program Coordinator
Colorado Radon Program

303.692.2422 | margaret.horton@state.co.us | www.coloradoradon.info

Locations

United States

Connecticut Radon Program and Health Partners Explained

Margaret Henderson — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:03:45 +0000

Connecticut Radon Program and Health Partners Explained Margaret Henderson Thu, 04/16/2026 - 21:03

Connecticut Radon Program and Health Partners Explained

The Connecticut Department of Public Health Radon Program’s 2026 Radon Local Health Partners are named and mapped at https://portal.ct.gov/dph/environmental-health/radon/radon-program?language=en_US.

To understand how these partners further the mission of the Radon Program--to promote radon awareness, testing, mitigation, and radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) throughout the state to reduce the number of radon-induced lung cancer deaths in Connecticut—Amanda Parkins of the Radon Program answered questions explaining the partnership relationships.

From a question and answer interview with Amanda Parkins, learn how the Connecticut Radon Program works with partners.

1. Are these partners local health departments or others?
Most of our partners are local health departments (inclusive of one tribal nation health department); we also have one hospital (oncology department) that has partnered with us for a few years now.

2. How does the state program work with the partners?
Annually in early fall, we send out a circular letter to all local health directors, making them aware of the annual partnership program, which includes free radon in air test kits for distribution to interested residents (while supplies last). Health departments request a number of test kits from the Radon Program, and we supply what we’re able based on demand and availability. The letter also offers local health departments the opportunity to request historical data for their town/district (towns) to assist with planning purposes. The historical data shared typically includes that related to air testing, as well as mitigation:
• Number of analyses
• Number of unique addresses
• Number of analyses where result was at or above 4.0 pCi/L
• Average result (pCi/L)
• Maximum result (pCi/L)
• Radon in air mitigation systems
• Radon in water mitigation systems

3. Do you have activities you share, or suggestions to them?
Prior to National Radon Action Month, we host a half-day partner meeting where all local health departments are encouraged to attend. During this meeting we feature guest speakers on varying topics (e.g., radon in air, radon in water, advocacy efforts, etc.) and past speakers have included EPA, ALA, former CERTI instructor Doug Kladder, as well as Brian Hanson of KSU. We also discuss the previous year’s partnership metrics, such as return rate and then offer a roundtable discussion where departments can share their success stories and challenges. Most have their own planned activities to increase radon awareness and education during the winter months (e.g., tabling at health fairs or other community events, press releases for local media (TV/radio/social media/print media), etc.).

4. Does the State Indoor Radon Grant (SIRG) provide funding to them?
No, the state Radon Program receives SIRG funding, which is used to purchase the test kits provided to partners.

5. Do you keep in touch with them on their progress (successes, numbers of activities, etc.)?
We send the partners monthly updates (for January through April) on test kits received/analyzed by the lab. And in this spring, we reach out again to ask them to confirm how many kits they distributed so we can calculate their return rate. Partners will also contact the Program as needed with questions or for technical assistance.

For more information, please contact:

Amanda Parkins, BS
Epidemiologist 3
Environmental Health Section
Connecticut Public Health
860-509-7370
amanda.parkins@ct.gov

Locations

United States

Colorado’s Successful Local Radon Outreach

Margaret Henderson — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:02:08 +0000

Colorado’s Successful Local Radon Outreach Margaret Henderson Thu, 04/16/2026 - 21:02

Colorado’s Successful Local Radon Outreach

Contributed by Margaret Horton, MPH

The CDPHE Radon Program conducts local radon outreach through grants awarded to local public health agencies (LPHAs) and other non-profit organizations on an annual basis. These grants have been very successful in advancing the radon activities throughout Colorado.

Many local public health staff have received NRPP certification in radon measurement. Having credentialed staff at the local level ensures that Coloradans across the state have access to high-quality, objective radon measurement information. A few of these folks are using their knowledge and training to help schools and child care facilities meet the state's radon measurement requirement in these settings.

A specific example of success relates to activities in Denver. The Metro Denver public health agencies coordinated a local media campaign for National Radon Action Month. They coordinated their messaging across six metro counties while promoting the radon services available at each of the six participating local public health agencies.

For more information about Colorado’s Radon Program, contact:
Margaret Horton, MPH
Program Coordinator
Colorado Radon Program
303.692.2422 | margaret.horton@state.co.us | www.coloradoradon.info

Locations

United States

Public Review — MW-RN revisions RADON IN WATER MEASUREMENT COMMENTS DUE MAY 25, 2026

Margaret Henderson — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 21:36:12 +0000

Public Review — MW-RN revisions RADON IN WATER MEASUREMENT COMMENTS DUE MAY 25, 2026 Margaret Henderson Mon, 04/13/2026 - 17:36

ANSI/AARST MAH
Protocol for the Collection, Transfer and Measurement of Radon in Water

The proposed revision to the ANSI/AARST "Radon in Water Measurement" is out for public comment. Comments are due May 25,2026.

The proposed revisions for publication include various changes in redline/cross-out style that are mostly for clarity as reviewed by the current consensus body. A new Section 3 and revisions to 5.3 and 5.4 were previously publicly reviewed.

This standard of practice contains minimum requirements and guidance for measuring radon in water that enters a building through groundwater supplies for determining if mitigation is necessary to protect current and future occupants of dwellings and other buildings. This standard includes procedures for the collection and transport of water samples, as well as protocols for the quantitative transfer of the sample to a measurement device to determine radon concentrations in water.

Deadline for comments: May 25th, 2026

Access to public review content:
To download content being publicly reviewed, click the public access button which takes you to www.standards.aarst.org/public-review

The public access page provides open access to participate in public reviews and is the location to find information, such as user tools and how to request committee participation.

Where to find ANSI/AARST Published Standards?

All ANSI/AARST standards can be reviewed for free and purchased on the Consortium Website.

Standards Update Notices? A tool is available now for folks who might not participate in all AARST broadcast news but desire to be sent notifications about public reviews and newly published standards. One can sign up for such an option at https://aarst.org/radon-news-preferences/

Locations

United States

Colorado’s Work with Local Public Health Agencies and Other Non-profit Organizations

Margaret Henderson — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 19:28:48 +0000

Colorado’s Work with Local Public Health Agencies and Other Non-profit Organizations Margaret Henderson Wed, 04/01/2026 - 15:28

Colorado’s Work with Local Public Health Agencies and Other Non-profit Organizations

By Margaret Horton, MHP

The Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) Radon Program conducts local radon outreach through grants awarded to local public health agencies (LPHAs) and other non-profit organizations on an annual basis.

The grants are designed to be flexible and meet local needs. Grant work plans must address one of six radon-related activities, including radon education and awareness for the general public, radon test kit distribution, and/or engagement with school and child care facilities, real estate agents, medical providers and local code officials.

The CDPHE Radon Program hosts monthly grantee calls to address questions, share best practices, and promote coordination among grantees.

Margaret Horton, MPH
Program Coordinator
Colorado Radon Program
303.692.2422 | margaret.horton@state.co.us | www.coloradoradon.info

Locations

United States

New Jersey State Radon Health Assessment Data Current to 2024

Margaret Henderson — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:22:07 +0000

New Jersey State Radon Health Assessment Data Current to 2024 Margaret Henderson Mon, 03/23/2026 - 17:22

The New Jersey Department of Health has published its “Radon Screening by Homes by Years 2004-2024,” available at https://www-doh.nj.gov/doh-shad/indicator/complete/Radon.html

The Radon Section, Bureau of Environmental Radiation, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection was the source of data.

The number of tests was determined by looking at pre-mitigation tests conducted in residential buildings since January 1, 1992 and the end of the specified calendar year, ending with the year 2024.

Testing homes for radon had seen an improvement in the percentage of New Jersey homes ever tested for radon from 1996 (9.7%) to 2017 (32.5%). There was a slight decrease in the percent of homes tested in 2018 followed by a steady increase in testing since 2020. In 2024, the total homes tested was 36.9%. This exceeds the target goal for 2020 of 35% in the Health Initiative HNJ2020.

Locations

United States

Nevada Radon Program’s Real Estate Education: Strengthening Industry Partnerships

Margaret Henderson — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:21:01 +0000

Nevada Radon Program’s Real Estate Education: Strengthening Industry Partnerships Margaret Henderson Mon, 03/23/2026 - 17:21

Nevada Radon Program’s Real Estate Education: Strengthening Industry Partnerships

The Nevada Radon Program partners with the real estate community to encourage testing and mitigation of homes with elevated radon. The Program focuses on building a strong foundation through outreach and partnerships. Classes are conducted in collaboration with real estate offices and others in the profession. The in-person continuing education (CE) courses give realtors the information about radon not available to them elsewhere. Two successful partnerships are with EPA Brokers and Magnus Title Company.

ERA Brokers – Las Vegas
ERA Brokers continues to be a strong education partner, hosting regular radon continuing education (CE) classes. This session welcomed 12 engaged attendees, including both new agents and seasoned professionals serving Southern Nevada.
Magnus Title Company–Sponsored CE Class
A second CE class, sponsored by Magnus Title Company and hosted at Century 21 Americana, brought together 20 primarily Spanish-speaking realtors. Participants ranged from long-standing agents to new licensees, enriching the discussion and reinforcing the importance of radon education in real estate transactions.

Adapted from and republished with permission:
Nevada Radon Report, Vol 33 – Quarter 2 – FY 2026 – October through December

Locations

United States

Michigan’s New 2026 Radon Story Map Explains How It Enters the Indoors, Health Risks and How To Fix It

Margaret Henderson — Sun, 22 Mar 2026 22:23:34 +0000

Michigan’s New 2026 Radon Story Map Explains How It Enters the Indoors, Health Risks and How To Fix It Margaret Henderson Sun, 03/22/2026 - 18:23

Michigan’s New 2026 Radon Story Map Explains How It Enters the Indoors, Health Risks and How To Fix It

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) has published its latest story map. The story map provides a detailed look at radon with educational information about radon, testing for radon and solving the problem of elevated radon levels. The department estimates elevated radon levels are approximately 25% of Michigan homes.

The story map is intended to engage the public in learning about radon and taking action to reduce radon. The story map provides a timeline of the history of radon from 1900 and an interactive map (through a link) to learn the recorded radon levels throughout Michigan. The Story Map provides a comprehensive look at radon with helpful information for the public.

The Radon Story Map is available at https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6add4fc798bd4f3bbcecec4c9940d5b6

The interactive map is available at https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/b40e14c9c283467d89015f3ddba9f513

Locations

United States

Evolution of the Montana Radon Control Program

Margaret Henderson — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:46:31 +0000

Evolution of the Montana Radon Control Program Margaret Henderson Fri, 03/20/2026 - 11:46

Evolution of the Montana Radon Control Program

by Michael Gustafson, Small Business Ombudsman and Radon Program Coordinator

Over the past three years, the Montana Radon Control Program has evolved from a localized outreach effort into a robust statewide infrastructure. By bridging the gap between environmental regulations and sustainable business practices, the program now serves as a primary advocate for small businesses and a key partner in advancing public health safety through industry development.

Navigating the unique challenges of Montana’s vast frontier—defined by a dispersed population and a historical shortage of specialized labor—has required a strategic shift toward integrating radon services into existing professional trades. This evolution has successfully expanded Montana’s technical capacity while securing a direct voice for the state in the development of industry standards. Additionally, there have been many updated tools and resources on our program's webpage.

The following milestones define the program's current trajectory:

I. Strengthening Public Health Through Industry Development
• Targeted Workforce Expansion: To address the shortage of specialized labor across our expansive geography, strategic recruitment within the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, general construction, and excavation trades has increased the roster from 12 certified professionals three years ago to over 35 NRPP-certified mitigators. This expansion ensures a minimum of seven certified professionals are available to service every one of Montana’s 56 counties, effectively closing service gaps in our most rural areas.
• Sustainable Business Growth: Six additional businesses are currently training to integrate radon mitigation into their existing service platforms. This voluntary industry growth stabilizes the state’s infrastructure and ensures public health safety is supported by a qualified, local workforce.
• Advancing Construction Standards: Collaborative momentum within the building industry has led several local municipalities to begin evaluating the formal adoption of IRC Appendix BE, signaling a proactive shift toward standardized, built-in protection in new residential construction.

II. Fiscally Responsible Public Engagement
• Optimized Resource Allocation: The transition from "free kits" to a subsidized program has proven to be a fiscally prudent move, ensuring limited tax dollars are utilized with maximum efficiency. By requiring "skin in the game" from participants, the program has pivoted from distributing high volumes of kits to prioritizing actual usage. This shift has increased test completion rates from 41% to over 60%, ensuring state resources produce actionable health data.
• Community Presence & Accessibility: Expert guidance is delivered directly to residents through formal community presentations statewide. Furthermore, the initial launch of testing device programs in local libraries has placed radon measurement tools directly into the hands of the public, successfully overcoming geographical barriers to access.

III. Policy Integration and Standards Leadership
• National Standards Development: Serving as the representative for 39 non-regulatory states on the AARST Consortium on National Standards panels, the Program Coordinator directly influenced the most recent updates for measurement and mitigation standards. This involvement ensures that Montana’s unique needs are reflected in the national framework.
• Cancer Prevention Strategy: Following a partnership with the Huntsman Cancer Institute and formal confirmation from the three co-chairs of the Montana Cancer Coalition, radon is now officially positioned as a crucial part of the next Montana State Cancer Plan.

The Montana Radon Control Program remains dedicated to the progress made in protecting the health of all Montanans and is prepared to build upon this momentum through continued industry collaboration and responsible stewardship of resources. Please reach out if you would like to discuss these initiatives further.

For more information, contact:

Michael Gustafson | Small Business Ombudsman | Radon Program Coordinator
Air Quality Bureau | Air Quality Analysis & Planning Section
Montana Department of Environmental Quality
DESK: 406-444-6592 | Radon Hotline: 800-546-0483
Website https://deq.mt.gov/energy/Programs/radon
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@montanadeq

Locations

United States

Georgia Radon Program Updates

Margaret Henderson — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:45:42 +0000

Georgia Radon Program Updates Margaret Henderson Fri, 03/20/2026 - 11:45

Georgia Radon Program Updates

Information shared by Rebecca Cantrell, MPH, Georgia Radon Program

The Georgia Radon Program is sharing news about a mapping accomplishment and a future meeting the Program will be hosting later in 2026.

Mapping Update

We were able to have our map updated current to 2024! Twenty percent (20%) of all homes tested came back elevated from 1990-2024 and our highest recorded level was 100 pCi/L in Gwinnett County. See the interactive map at https://radon.uga.edu/information/georgia-radon-map/

Hosting the Stakeholder Meeting

Additionally, the UGA Radon Program will host the EPA Region 4 Stakeholder Meeting in May this year. The date and details will be available in the future.

For more information, contact:
Rebecca Cantrell, MPH
Radon Educator
University of Georgia
706-583-0602
radon.uga.edu
Instagram: ugaradon
Facebook: UGA Radon Program

Locations

United States