Did you know that most of the radon in Portland is actually from Missoula, MT.? Over 12,000 years ago, a series of floods brought radon producing rocks and sediment from the Missoula area to Portland and the Willamette Valley. A naturally occurring radioactive gas, radon is odorless and tasteless. Prolonged exposure to radon can damage the lungs and may contribute to the development of lung cancer.
This month, JHC participated in the EPA Region 10 Radon Summit. Hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), the Radon Summit brought together representatives from Region 10 radon programs, local business leaders and community health organizations to discuss the current state of radon in Region 10.
JHC participated in lively discussions about radon policy change and barriers to testing and mitigation. Our future plans include working more closely with local business leaders, the EPA and OHA on radon awareness and community advocacy for radon reduction.