Radon Basics

Radon Basics Image

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The American Lung Association's Radon Basics course is a free one-hour interactive online learning program designed to help people understand more about radon, a radioactive gas commonly found indoors at dangerous levels.

This course is ideal for healthcare professionals such as physicians, nurses, community health workers, and public environmental health educators—in short, anyone who is engaged in encouraging people to adopt behaviors that protect their health. This course also offers a certificate for professional education credits upon completion.

The program is also appropriate for anyone who wants to learn more about radon and about how to test for it and fix problems. Individuals who smoke or who have family history of lung cancer, or parents and guardians may especially be interested.

This program will teach participants to:

  • Understand what radon is, where it comes from, and its risks for causing lung cancer.
  • Explain why everyone should test for radon and describe how to do it.
  • Understand how radon comes into a home, and how to fix homes to reduce radon exposure.
  • Describe actions that will result in systemic changes that move beyond a “one house at a time” approach.

One of the highlights of this learning program is a special “appearance” of a famous scientist to answer the question How Do We Measure Radon?

Another highlight is the animation Fate of Radon in the Body that shows how lung damage resulting from exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer.

Radon Basics also includes external resources and links to help users identify the best sources of information and help in testing for radon and mitigating radon problems.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the New Mexico Medical Society (NMMS) through the joint providership of the Greater Albuquerque Medical Association and The American Lung Association. The Greater Albuquerque Medical Association is accredited by the NMMS to provide continuing medical education for physicians. GAMA designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1 hour AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This program has been approved for 1.0 contact hour Continuing Respiratory Care Education (CRCE) credit by the American Association for Respiratory Care, 9425 N MacArthur Blvd, Ste 100, Irving TX 75063.