December 8, 2011

 Lisa Jackson, Administrator
Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460

Dear Administrator Jackson: 

My husband died of radon-induced lung cancer. Neither he nor I was aware of radon until our doctor told us about it and suggested we test our home.  The test came back with a  high level of radon.  

An American dies every 25 minutes from lung cancer caused by exposure to radon in homes, schools, and workplaces.  With eight to ten million U.S. homes existing with elevated levels of radon gas, the Environmental Protection Agency needs this vital radon program which is helping to save human lives.  I am deeply disturbed that the EPA’s budget for 2013 will be reducing funding for reduction of radon risk in the United States. 

The Radon Division of the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air Quality is the most cost- effective, voluntary environmental risk reduction program in the country. 

Because our society is ignorant of the danger of a gas that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted—myself included until after my husband died with lung cancer and I discovered we had been living with elevated levels of this silent killer for 18 years–no one seems to care except those of us who have been robbed of our loved ones and our lives.  We have a government to provide protection for our citizens—not just on the battlefields but in our own homes. 

The cost of lung cancer treatment is approximately $700,000 per patient, and there is only a 15 percent five-year survival rate. In contrast, the typical home can have a radon mitigation system installed for $1,500-$2,000.  EPA’s draft budget for 2013 would virtually eliminate all regional and headquarters radon staffing and state program grants.  EPA is walking away from radon risk reduction, its moral duty, and its legal obligation to the public. 

The ball is in your court, Ms. Jackson.  Take control of it to ensure the continued existence of a fully funded Radon Program in EPA and to protect our citizens against this silent radioactive killer.  You can make the difference.  In 1988, a federal law was passed–the Indoor Radon Abatement Act—which stated that our government would protect the citizens from radon gas with state radon programs providing education and awareness.  Please respond to me personally with your action to support this critical lifesaving program. 

Sincerely yours, 

Gloria Linnertz
V.P. Cancer Survivors Against Radon
Waterloo, IL
www.cansar.org
seascape@htc.net