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International Effort to Reduce Radon Risk

Release Date: 06/24/2005
Contact Information:

Contact: Enesta Jones, 202-564-4355 / jones.enesta@epa.gov

(06/24/05) Recognizing indoor radon as a significant cause of lung cancer around the world, the World Health Organization (WHO), in collaboration with EPA and participating countries, is launching and organizing an International Radon Project aimed at helping countries reduce the health risks associated with indoor radon. The approach will focus on increasing public awareness about this invisible health threat and what can be done to reduce the risk. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and the World Health Organization estimates that radon could cause up to 15 percent of lung cancers globally. EPA will participate in workgroups and contribute $120,000. This international effort will complement the nationwide radon program run by EPA in the United States. For additional information on the initiative, visit: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/notes/2005/np15/en/index.html, or for general information about radon, visit: https://www.epa.gov/radon