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Partners: Plan an activity for National Radon Action Month. Learn More
Consumers: Learn how you can take action during National Radon Action Month. Learn More
Get the Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files linked on this page. See EPA's PDF page to learn more. [En Español]
Explore National Radon Action Month success stories from previous years, as well as previous National Radon Action Month Newsletters.
| Success Stories |
Learn about successful National Radon Action Month activities and events to increase radon awareness, promote radon testing and mitigation, and advance the use of radon-resistant new construction practices. Many states and radon partner organizations conducted effective outreach resulting in a significant increase in the previous year’s requests for radon test kits and more information. Activities and events can be tailored to fit any state or other type of organization and need, and can ultimately lead to lives saved from radon-induced lung cancer.
2008
Look for more recent success stories in the Event Planning Kit to find out how radon leaders like you reached out to non-traditional stakeholders (p. 25), partnered with sister organizations to maximize their impact (p. 30), leveraged technology to reach new audiences (p. 15), and more (pp. 4, 7).
2007
Pat Smith (left) of the Alabama Radon Program with Suzie Wiley (center) and Derrick Shull (right), the hosts of WYAM TV 56 "Talk of the Town on The Light Side of the News".
- Wisconsin - Wisconsin Coordinates Media Outreach with Local Partners
Media Outreach. Wisconsin energized local partners to reach out to media outlets resulting in a statewide push for radon awareness and testing during the 2007 National Radon Action Month. - Alabama - Media Buzz in Alabama Results in Increased Testing
Media Outreach. During January 2007, radon messages filled Alabama’s radios, newspapers, and televisions, resulting in more than 379 radon tests completed. Read more about Alabama’s media outreach. - Kansas - Kansas Leverages Governor’s Proclamation
National Radon Action Month Proclamation. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s early planning to secure a proclamation for National Radon Action Month enabled them to launch a comprehensive, high-profile radon outreach campaign in January 2007, resulting in doubled test kit sales.
| Newsletters |
Receive the latest news, resources, reminders, and tips for planning National Radon Action Month activities and events in your e-mail in-box with periodic Newsletters during the height of activity planning, coordination, and implementation for National Radon Action Month (October—February).
- March 2008 Newsletter (PDF, 2 pp, 60KB)
- January 2008 Newsletter (PDF, 3 pp, 84KB)
- December 2007 Newsletter (PDF, 3 pp, 80KB)
- November 2007 Newsletter (PDF, 2 pp, 65KB)
Send an e-mail to radonevents@cadmusgroup.com with “Subscribe” as the subject to take advantage of everything the Newsletters can offer.
| Read Success Stories |
Wisconsin Coordinates Media Outreach with Local Partners
When it comes to outreach for National Radon Action Month, Conrad Weiffenbach of the Wisconsin Radon Protection Program keeps it simple and local. Weiffenbach sees to it that state money designated for radon outreach makes it to the best local implementers. And to local experts across the state, his direction is straight forward—tell the media about radon, provide specific local facts, and be responsive to the public’s need for radon information and assistance.
In order to coordinate a state-wide media push in January 2007, Wieffenbach organized two December regional meetings with more than 40 local health agencies and designated Radon Information Centers. At the meetings, Weiffenbach presented basic radon messages and then allowed the group to share ideas and stories in a roundtable format.
In addition to state- and EPA-issued press releases, Weiffenbach’s office worked with EPA Region 5’s Helen Tsiapas, who called on the Governor to issue a proclamation declaring January as Radon Action Month in Wisconsin. With the state’s support, the local agencies successfully pitched the radon message to local media outlets. And a solid return of newspaper stories, network TV interviews, and radio mentions resulted in increased public inquiries and demand for radon test kits. “Local is best,” Weiffenbach said. “Doing media outreach can be intimidating for some groups … but the media can get lots of information across and they always like the local angle.”
Media Buzz in Alabama Results in Increased Testing
During January 2007, radon messages filled Alabama’s radios, newspapers, and televisions. Notably, radon interviews ran on Northwest Shoals Community College TV station’s “For Your Information” and WYAM TV’s “Talk of The Town on The Light Side of The News”. Alabama residents responded to the message. Of the 482 test kits purchased or distributed as a result of National Radon Action Month outreach, 379 radon tests were completed (22% had elevated radon levels).
Patricia Smith, the Regional Extension Agent for Alabama’s Radon Education Program, coordinated the state’s successful media effort. She worked closely with county representatives, connected with key media contacts, and disseminated press releases and news articles. Though her work peaked in November and December, Smith fosters her media contacts throughout the year by making regular office visits and phone calls. “Even after you already have a connection,” she explained, “it is important to check in frequently to maintain the relationship and make new contacts when there are staff changes.”
Smith initiated these relationships when she began her job in 2005. She visited every County Extension Office to meet with radon staff and local media. “It is important to have someone on the ground so that the media can put a familiar face with Alabama’s Radon Education Program,” she said.
These strong connections paid off during the 2007 National Radon Action Month. Several media outlets, like the Shoals Community College TV station, contacted Smith for the story, because they were already familiar with her and the state’s radon efforts.
Media outreach was just one key element of Alabama’s successful effort to increase awareness of radon during National Radon Action Month. Local proclamations, EPA’s radon PSAs, city council proclamations, poster displays, and other activities reinforced the media messages and helped increase radon testing.
Kansas Leverages Governor’s Proclamation
Kansas Radon Proclamation Signing Ceremony (pictured from left to right): Brian Hanson, Kansas State University; Robert Dye, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Clark Duffy, KDHE Bureau of Air and Radiation; Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius; Mike Heideman, KDHE Public Information; Kim Steves, KDHE Bureau of Air and Radiation; Cindy Evans, Shawnee County Extension; and Tom Conley, KDHE Bureau of Air and Radiation.
When Governor Kathleen Sebelius declared January as Radon Action Month in Kansas, her message became the centerpiece of a comprehensive radon outreach campaign sponsored by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (DHE). The public response to the promotion was dramatic. Test kit sales doubled during that time.
Advanced planning was the key to the state’s successful program, said Kim Steves of the Kansas DHE. She began collaborating with her state’s Public Information Office in November 2006 to secure the participation of the governor. On January 22, 2007, Governor Sebelius signed the proclamation during a special ceremony attended by the media and local partners from Kansas State University, Kansas County Extension services, and several ealth and environmental organizations.
“A proclamation,” said Steves, “is just one component of a successful campaign for National Radon Action Month.” DHE and local partners used a media campaign to reinforce the governor’s message. They issued press releases and purchased air time to run EPA’s television, radio, and print PSAs, customized with their state’s contact information. Media coverage included a local interview with Steves on KSNT Channel 27 during the noon news hour as well as several radio interviews. Steves said that, “The proclamation can be a foundation for local media coverage and adds credibility to your radon message.”