Radon Gas Impacts to Navajo Indians; An Opportunity to Save Lives

Recipient Organization
NAVAJO TECHNICAL COLLEGE
PO BOX 849
CROWNPOINT,NM 87313

Performing Department
Science Dept

Non Technical Summary
The U.S. Surgeon General has recommended that all homes and schools be tested for radon in the U.S. The U.S. EPA has established a guideline of 4pCi/L as the recommended maximum long term average level in homes. There is no safe level of radon gas but elevated concentrations can often be reduced to below 4pCi/L and in many cases to below 2 pCi/L by ventilation or structural changes. This proposal requests funds to test inhabited structures on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico for radon gas so: (1) lung cancer in Navajo Indians can be reduced by identifying high risk sites and (2) then taking proper remedial action. Radon gas in the U.S. is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.Indeed, radon is a likely carcinogen at all exposure levels. Lung cancer has a five year survival rate of 16.3%; over one-half of the people diagnosed die within one year (American Lung Association).

Animal Health Component

50%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

50%

Applied

50%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
133	0410	3020	100%

Knowledge Area
133 - Pollution Prevention and Mitigation;

Subject Of Investigation
0410 - Air;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;

Keywords

radon gas impacts to navajo indians

an opportunity to save lives

Goals / Objectives
This proposal requests funds to test inhabited structures on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico for radon gas so; (1) lung cancer in Navajo Indians can be reduced by identifying high risk sites and (2) then taking proper remedial action. Radon gas in the U.S. is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking (Kreski et. al 2006, EPA 2012). Indeed, radon is a likely carcinogen at all exposure levels (Darby and Hill 2001). European and American studies highlight this conclusion (Kreski et. al. 2006, Darby et. al. 2006). Lung cancer has a five year survival rate of 16.3%; over one-half of the people diagnosed die within one year (American Lung Association website, 2014). Survival rates markedly improve if the cancer is detected early.

Project Methods
Methods:Capturing radon gas samples and and determining contamination: We will use the same electronic radon testing devices that we used to sample radon levels at NTU campus structures. The evaluation plan will consist of usingthese devices (EPA certified) to provide constant "readouts" of radon levels. The radon devices will be placed in each targeted structure (Chapter Houses and schools) to monitor levels of radon gas over a minimum of five days. Radon levels will subsequently be analysed. Radon levels above 4.0 pCi/L will indicate unsafe levels that must be remediated. Remediation options will include temporary measures to improve ventilation to vent out radon as well as major changes to the structure.

Progress 09/01/15 to 08/31/17

Outputs
Target Audience:A total of 32 structures were measured for radon gas; these included 11 chapter houses, 2 Navajo Nation (NN) buildings (both on the NTU campus including 1 NN child care center), 17 buildings at NTU (including an NTU child care center) and 1 local church. All these structures were sampled by multiple devices placed in different areas of the structure. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The radon measuring devices will be made available to qualified students who wish to pursue radon studies. This will introduce students to the scientific method and hopefully interest them in related studies. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dr. Mader submitted text and video links for a radon website to the NTU IT department in July of 2017. Thus completion of the website is underway. Briefly, this website provides background information on radon gas and how it causes cancer while providing simple remediation options to reduce radon gas concentrations. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Nothing Reported

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Radon values by general location: Chapter Houses: 11 sampled; 3 houses had actionable levels. Ramah (5.6 and 5.8); Standing Rock (13.1); Little Water (5.9 and 7.0). Navajo Nation Buildings (these are on the NTU campus): 2 were sampled (including a child care center); 0 had actionable levels. NTU buildings: 17 were sampled including an NTU child care center on campus; 3 buildings had actionable levels. These were the empowerment building (range of 4.5-9.2), the science-tech building (4.5 - custodian office) and the hospitality center (72.3 storage room with chemicals). The latter two sites might be influenced by chemicals which are stored in these rooms and will be monitored in the future. Church in Crownpoint. 1 sampled; 1 actionable level (5.5).

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