Knowledge about Indoor Radon in the United States: 1990 National Health Interview Survey

The Year 2000 objectives for environmental health include radon testing in 40% of residences overall and in 50% of residences that house a smoker, former smoker, or a child. Baseline data about radon and radon testing were determined by questions included in the 1990 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention supplement for the National Health Interview Survey. Minorities and individuals with low income or minimal education were significantly less likely to have heard of indoor radon than were whites and those with more education or income. In this survey, only 3%-5% of residences had been tested for radon. A substantial increase above the rate of testing noted for 1990 will be needed to achieve the Year 2000 objectives for indoor radon.