KNOWLEDGE ABOUT INDOOR RADON IN THE UNITED-STATES - 1990 NATIONAL-HEALTH INTERVIEW SURVEY

The Year 2000 objectives for environmental health include radon testin g in 40% of residences overall and in 50% of residences that house a s moker, former smoker, or a child. Baseline data about radon and radon testing were determined by questions included in the 1990 Health Promo tion and Disease Prevention supplement for the National Health Intervi ew Survey. Minorities and individuals with low income or minimal educa tion 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 incr ease above the rate of testing noted for 1990 will be needed to achiev e the Year 2000 objectives for indoor radon.