Radon: An Opportunity for Preventative Health

Grenoble, Kathryn

Item

Radon: An Opportunity for Preventative Health

Grenoble, Kathryn

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Abstract

Radon is a colorless and odorless radioactive gas produced by the natural decay of uranium in rock and soil. Long term exposure to radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, and the second leading cause over all after smoking. Children exposed to unsafe levels of radon are particularly vulnerable because smaller lungs and faster respiratory rates are thought to result in higher radiation doses compared with adults. One in eight homes in Vermont contain unsafe levels of radon gas compared with one in fifteen homes nationally. Radon gas exposure is not currently addressed as a preventative health measure in primary care clinics. This intervention was aimed at creating a radon resource document embedded as a “smart phrase” in EPIC enabling clinicians to rapidly provide clear information for patients without encumbering time constrained appointments. The intent is to equip providers with a tool for introducing the topic of radon at pediatric well visits and give patients access to additional information included in their After Visit Summaries.