Congressman Horsford Announces $790,000 for Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to Reduce Radon Exposure
Washington, D.C. — Nevada will receive $790,000 in funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to fight public exposure to radon, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) announced on Monday. The Nevada Department of Health and Human Services will use the funding to support outreach and develop tools to reduce exposure to the naturally occurring radioactive gas, which is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
"The health and wellbeing of my constituents is my top priority, and that involves guaranteeing all Nevadans access to clean air," Congressman Horsford said of the grants. "All Americans should be able to step outside and not fear what may be in the air they're breathing. This grant will equip Nevadans to reduce their exposure to radon and educate the community about the negative impacts of radon on the public health."
This grant will increase testing, carry out mitigation and reduce radon exposure statewide; it will also provide radon education to medical, child care and real estate professionals and provide school sampling and training for radon testing.
"This grant award allows DPBH to continue public information and outreach activities to educate the public and encourage testing for, mitigation, and prevention of exposure to radioactive radon, the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers," said NDHHS Division of Public and Behavioral Health Chief Karen Beckley.
NDHHS will also explore adopting codes for radon-resistant new construction.
According to the EPA, radon is a radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of natural uranium deposits in soil. Because radon gas is odorless and invisible, the only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test for it. To learn more, visit epa.gov/radon.
The EPA works across the United States to provide clean air, water and land, resulting in better quality of life, lower medical expenses, fewer school absences, and fewer premature deaths and illnesses for all Americans.