MEDIA ADVISORY: UND, Fargo Public Library to take action against radon health risks
WHAT: The University of North Dakota and the Fargo Public library are teaming up to make home testing for radon free and as easy as possible, hoping to save lives and create healthier living spaces.
As part of the project, Soojung Kim, associate professor of Communication at UND, will visit the Fargo Public Library on Monday to drop off 30 digital radon detectors, to make it easier for library patrons to determine if their homes contain unsafe levels of the radioactive, carcinogenic gas.
WHEN: 1 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 26
WHERE: Fargo Public Library, 101 4th Street North, Fargo, N.D. Timothy Dirks, director of the Fargo Public Library; Jenilee Kanenwisher, Collection Development and Tech Services manager; and Melisa Duncan, marketing specialist, are scheduled to be present.
BACKGROUND: Radon is a colorless, odorless gas produced from such radioactive elements as uranium and thorium, present in rocks and soil. And because it typically seeps into the basements of homes through foundation cracks and sump pump openings, it is a very important but often overlooked cause of lung cancer and other diseases.
In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that radon is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
Moreover, every county in North Dakota is considered Zone 1 for radon levels, placing the state in the top 25% of states for radon prevalence. Many studies place North Dakota first in the U.S. for the level of residential radon to which homeowners are exposed.
Last year, UND and the Grand Forks Public Library teamed up to let patrons check out digital radon detectors to determine if their homes contain unsafe levels of radon. On Monday, the project will be expanded to include the Fargo Public Library, thanks in part to UND Connect, a UND effort to supports faculty-led projects to make life better for North Dakotans.
CONTACT: Soojung Kim, soojung.kim@UND.edu, 701.777.2473
