Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Residential radon exposure : awareness and risk perception in rural Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2014) Warner, Amy Lynn; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Wade G. HillRadon is a natural part of the environment representing significant potential health risks within the home. Variations in knowledge and perception of risk related to radon exposure exist among diverse populations and the known link to lung cancer is not known by all that are at risk. Both the World Health Organization and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) conduct large efforts to raise awareness and educate residents how to lower indoor radon to an acceptable level. These efforts show variable efficacy and in some places radon awareness and testing rates remain very low. Montana is classified as a high-risk area for indoor radon concentrations of an unacceptable level according to the USEPA. In order to evaluate the efficacy of current educational efforts, it is important to measure the level of awareness and concern that exists especially in high-risk areas. This study uses data from a nursing-based environmental health hazard intervention to measure the perceived knowledge and risk perception surrounding radon exposure among residents of rural Montana. Findings indicate that awareness is low and the majority of residents lack strong feelings of concern about radon. These findings are discussed in relation to existing literature and studies related to radon and how the role of the advance practice nurse can be used to positively impact public health in relation to radon exposure prevention.Item Public health policy for testing of radon in Montana schools(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2014) Champer, Veronica Jean; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Laura LarssonRadon as a human carcinogen has been clearly documented (NTP, 2011; NCI, 2011; ATSDR, 2013; EPA, 2013). Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking (NCI, 2011) and is found in every state in the U.S. (DEQ, 2013). As Hill, Butterfield, & Larsson (2006) have stated, children are a vulnerable population with consideration to radon exposure due to biophysical characteristics and duration and levels of exposure over time. As a nation responsible for its vulnerable youth, further investigation is necessary to determine that health policies exist to protect school children from this known carcinogen. This study inventoried the public health policies that exist at a federal, state, and local level and then compared and contrasted those policies for best practices. Results of the policy inventory were that nine states had state laws mandating radon testing in the schools. The Environmental Protection Agency zone risk designation demonstrated that 36 states had greater than 50% of counties in zones 1 and 2 (moderate to high risk for radon exposure) but only eight of those states had health policies for testing radon in schools. An analysis of the policies was conducted to identify best practices and a recommendation for a public health policy governing the testing of radon in Montana schools was developed. Research implications are that radon is a public health threat for which the regulatory environment to protect vulnerable children is lacking. The need for well written policy is evident and as states consider public health initiatives, radon testing in schools should be included in that discussion.