Air Quality Memo
An Update on Air Quality on Activities from the National Safety Council
I Vol. 5 No. 1
Summer 1998
[inside this issue ...
Web Site Resource, (p. 2)
Bravo!, (p. 3)
National Safety Month, (p. 3)
» Air Quality Problems Due to
Floods, (p. 3)
Speakers Referral Service, (p. 4)
* Educational Materials Data
base, (p. 4)
| * Indoor Air Community Leader
Kit, (p. 4)
] * Media Outreach Notebook, (p. 4)
[Insert. . .
* Radon Hotline Calls:
May 1997-May 1998
* Total Helpline Calls:
May 1997-May 1998
» Breakdown of Radon Questions:
March-May 1998
* Radon Hotline and Helpline Calls
May 1997-May 1998
» Radon Test Kit Coupon Program
Results: May 1998
National
Safety
Council
National Academy of Science
Confirms Radon-Cancer Link
The National Academy of Science Biological Effects of Ionizing
Radiation (BEIR) VI report titled "The Health Effects of Exposure
to Indoor Radon" will be available in June, 1998. A press conference
presenting the findings of this report was held on February 19,1998.
The BEIR VI Committee identified radon as the second leading
cause of lung cancer and an important public health risk. Lung
cancer is not caused by radon but the alpha particles from radon
progeny directly damage target lung cells to cause cancer. Accord-
ing to this report, radon causes between 15,400 and 21,800
deaths annually in the United States. The committee estimates
(see BEIR VIreport, p.2)
1998 Youth Safety Congress
The 1998 Youth Safety Congress will take
place October 24-27 in North Hollywood,
California. Each year, approximately 200
youth and their adult advisors/chaperones
attend the National Safety Council's Youth
Safety Congress. The Congress is open to
all youth and youth serving organizations with an interest in safety,
health and the environment. The purpose of the Youth Safely
Congress is to provide opportunities for youth, ages 10-20, and their
advisors to:
Enhance safety techniques and skills
Share safety, health and environment program ideas
Train leaders
Interact with people from other organizations
Recognize and applaud each other's outstanding efforts
Promote enduring fellowship
The four-day Congress program offers motivational speakers,
workshops, peer programming, hands-on projects, tours, recreation
(see Congress, p. 2)
-------
BEIR VI report'(from p. 1)
12 percent of lung cancer
deaths in the United States are
linked to radon exposure.
The public summary isavail-
able at http://www.epa.gov/
iaq/radon/public Jitml. An
executive summary of this report is located on line at
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/radon/beirvil .html. A pre-
publication version of BEER. VI Report may be
purchased from the National Academy of Science
web site at http://www.nas.edu for $54.95. The final
report will be available in August and will cost
$75.00 plus shipping. The pre-publication and the
final report may also be ordered by calling the
National Academy Press at (800) 624-6242. A 20%
discount will be available if ordering via the internet.
Web Site Resource
EPA's Recent Actions page offers access to the
past six months policy, guidance and regulations.
This web site is located at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/
oarpg/ramain.html.
For EPA documents more than six months old, links
are available at the OAR Policy and Guidance
Information Actions Sorted by CAA Title. This web
site is located at http://www.epa.gov/ttn/oarpg/
Youth Safety Congress (from p. 1)
and social activities. Topics will include
traffic safety, recreational safety, personal
safety and health, agricultural and vocational
safety, environmental safety, current youth
issues, and adult leadership skills. Special
Congress events include an awards banquet,
National Safety Council Exposition, activities
and dances.
Registration fees include Youth Safety
Congress registration, dinner Saturday,
lunches and dinners on Sunday, Monday and
Tuesday, all workshop session fees, admission
to area attractions, and social activities. Fees
are $225 for youths aged 10-20 and $250 for
adults when paid in full by September 18.
Fees are $250 for youth aged 10-20 and $275
for adults when paid in full by October 1.
NSC members will receive a 10% discount on
their registration fee if paid by September 4.
Registrations received after September 18 will
be accepted on a space available basis.
For more information about the 1998 Youth
Safety Congress, and for a list of lodging
rates, visit the NSC web site at http://
www.nsc.org/mem/YOUTH/Conginfo.htm.
For general information about this event, you
may also contact Ms. Nyki Palermo at (202)
293-2270x484.
National Safety Council
Environmental Health Center
Air Quality Program
1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W
Suite 1200
Washington, D.C. 20036
Phone: (202)293-2270
Fax: (202)293-0032
E-mail: airqual@nsc.org
http://www.nsc.org/ehc/
airquaLhtm
Editor Nyki Brandon Palermo
palermon@nsc.org
Writers: Patricia Lawson, M.A.
Iawsonp@nsc.org
KatherineRettke
rettkek@nsc.org
The Air Quality Program is funded by a cooperative agreement
with the United States Environmental Protection Agency
-------
National
Safety
Council
1998 Youth Safety Congress
Theme: Lights... Safety... Action!
Dates: October 24-27, 1998
Place: Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn - Universal Studios
4222 Vineland Avenue
N. Hollywood, CA
Come join the cast of "Safety Stars", age 10-20, in our award winning production of educational
workshops, presentations, speakers, activities, special events, parties, tours, awards banquet, etc. that
address the safety and health of today's youth.
«-What is the National Safety Council's Youth Safety Congress?
Each year, approximately 200 youth and their adult advisors/chaperones attend this 4-day, one-of-a-kind
event. The purpose of the Youth Safety Congress is provide excellent opportunities for youth and their
advisors to enhance safety techniques and skills, share safety and health program ideas, train leaders,
interact with people from other organizations, recognize and applaud each other's outstanding efforts, and
promote enduring fellowship. The safety lessons and procedures that are taught to young people are
likely to be the ones they'll carry throughout their lifetime.
--What Will Be Offered?
Informational topics include traffic safety, recreational safety, personal safety & health, agricultural &
vocational safety, environmental safety, current youth issues, and adult leadership skills. Special
Congress events are the Youth Safety Awards Banquet, the National Safety Council Exposition at the L.A.
Convention Center, a tour to Universal Studios - Hollywood and more. Please see attached Program-at-a-
Glance for the preliminary schedule.
«-Who Attends?
Congress is open to all youth and youth serving organizations with an interest in safety and health. These
could include, but are not limited to, such organizations as: Anchor/Pilot Clubs, BPA, Boy & Girl Scouts,
Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Camp Fire Boys & Girls, Farm Bureau, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids, 4-H, FFA,
FHA/HERO, MADD, NSSP, School Safety Clubs, SADD, VICA, and more.
i*- Registration Fees & Hotel:
Fee includes Youth Safety Congress registration; dinner Saturday; lunch/dinner Sunday, Monday &
Tuesday; all workshop sessions, tours and activities.
Paid in full by Sept 18: Paid between Sept 19 - Oct 1:
- Youth, age 10-20 - $225 - Youth, age 10-20 - $250
- Adult, 21 and over - $250* - Adult, 21 and over - $275
*NSC members will receive a 10% discount if paid by Sept 4.
Lodging at the Holiday Inn: Arrangements will be made through the National Safety Council.
Rate: Single/Double: $94.25
Triple/Quad: $104.25
Please add 14%t
wFor More Information
Visit our WebSite at: http://www.nsc.org/mem/youth.htm. Or, if you have questions, or if you would like
registration materials or more specific information, please contact: Phone: (800) 621-7615, ext 2022,
FAX: (630) 775-2185, E-mail: YouthSafety@nsc.org.
-------
-------
Radon Test Kit Coupon Program
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Nashville Memorial Hospital
Ford Customer Sen/tea Division
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Auburn University
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Jaker Refectories
Wick Communfcations
Chicago County Public Health Department
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The Polymer Cons.
Ridzone Robotics
King Umo Service
Federal Express/PA - Pitts
Mon Valley Petroleum
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Oklahoma Safely Council
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Okanogan county Health District
Ramsey County Dept of Public Health
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Moheoan Tribe Health Department
O'SuKvanCorp
3omdESeo Technology Services
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Uleeker Cty Pubic Health
UcLeod County. MN
Sibioy county, MN
GE Plastics
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Bravo!
Congratulations to Ms. Shirley
Posey of the Delaware Safety
Council for organizing this
year's Christina River water-.
shed cleanup. Last year,
volunteers organized by the state Depart-
ment of Natural Resources and Environmen-
tal Control picked up more than 35 tons of
trash from the banks of the Christina and its
tributaries.
June is National Safety Month
In an effort to increase public awareness about
on and off the job safety and health issues, the
National Safety Council has designated June as
National Safely Month.
Each of the four weeks of June will focus on a
different area of safety:
• June 1-6 will focus on work place safety,
• June 7-13 (co-sponsored by Lowe's Home
Safety Council) will focus on home safety,
• June 14-20 will focus on first aid and
community safety and
• June 21-27 (co-sponsored by General Mills,
Inc.) will focus on auto and bicycle safety.
Communities, businesses, educational institu-
tions, and individuals nationwide are encouraged
to participate in this effort by holding a commu-
nity event or working with their local media.
Safety planning kits intended to provide items
needed to produce a successful campaign are
available through the National Safety Council.
This kit includes a planning guide, calendar,
poster, games, prizes, incentive items, logo
sheets and educational materials.
Safety Planning Kits (product # 42915-0000)
are available for $25.00 for Safety Council
Members, and $35.00 for non-members. For
further information please call the National
Safety Council at (800) 621-7619.
Air Quality Problems Due to Floods
Flood waters can create serious air quality
problems. Standing water and wet materials in
the home can become a breeding ground for
microorganisms, mold, and viruses. Unless
contaminated materials are removed and mois-
ture and humidity are reduced, these microorgan-
isms can cause serious, long-term health risks.
Dampness promotes the growth of mildew, mold,
and fungus, which can grow on anything and later
be released into the air. These microorganisms
continue to damage materials long after the water
has receded.
Drying out your home can take several weeks.
Materials that can not be dried out should be
thrown out. You can lower the moisture level in
your home in many ways:
• Open all closets and cabinet doors to allow the
ah- to circulate. Open drawers immediately,
as wet, unopened drawers may swell, making
it difficult to open them when they dry.
e Open all windows and doors, especially if
the humidity is higher inside than outside of
the house.
« When the electricity is back on, turn on fans
to help air out your home.
• Do not use the air conditioner or the furnace
blower if they were under water. You might
be blowing contaminants from sediments
left from the excessive water. Clean or hose
out the ducts first.
« Use a dehumidifier or desiccant (chemical
drying agent) to dry out your home.
8 If the water damage is extensive, you may
want to call a contractor who specializes in
water extraction.
These pointers come from the National Safety
Council's fact sheet on floods and indoor air
quality. Complete fact sheets are available free
of charge by contacting The National Safety
Council's Air Quality Program Helpline at (800)
557-2366. This publication is also available on
the Internet at: http://www.nsc.org/ehc/indoor/
floods.htm.
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OUTREACH RESOURCES
Speakers Referral Service
The National Safety Council's Air Quality Pro-
gram manages a Speaker's Referral Service to
assist health departments, community groups,
governmental agencies, non-profit organizations,
and others to identify speakers. Individuals listed
are able to speak about indoor air quality and
other environmental health issues.
For more information on becoming a listed
speaker, or to search for an available speaker for
an upcoming event, contact the National Safety
Council's Air Quality Program Helpline at (800)
557-2366.
Educational Materials Database
The National Safety Council's Air Quality Pro-
gram is collecting education and outreach materi-
als from federal, state, local and non-profit air
quality programs across the country.
Materials will be compiled into a nationally distrib-
uted database intended to help identify existing
education and outreach materials and to provide
contacts and summaries so that new materials
need not be re-invented.
If you have materials to be included in this data-
base, send samples to NSC's Air Quality Program
1025 Connecticut Avenue NW, Suite 1200, Wash-
ington DC, 20036.
National Safety Council
Environmental Health Center
Air Quality Program
1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W
Suite 1200
Washington, D.C. 20036
Indoor Air Community Leader Kit
The Indoor Air Community Leader Kit was
developed by the National Safety Council's Air
Quality Program in cooperation with the United
States Environmental Protection Agency. The kit
provides information needed to educate col-
leagues and community members about the health
risks of indoor air pollution. Materials include
pollutant fact sheets, presentation slides and
script, suggested activities, sample letters, and a
video provided by the American Lung Associa-
tion.
Copies are available free of charge by calling the
National Safety Council's Air Quality Program
Helpline at (800) 557-2366.
Media Outreach Notebook
The Media Outreach Notebook, developed by the
National Safety Council's Air Quality Program
provides information on promoting news coverage
as a way to raise awareness of air quality issues.
Topics include holding a press conference, ways
to generate news and feature stories, suggested
activities, sample letters, fact sheets, and re-
sources.
Copies are available for $ 10.00 each by calling
the National Safety Council's Air Quality Pro-
gram Helpline at (800) 557-2366.
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