North Dakota advocates push for Senate Bill 2204 to raise radon awareness

Senate Bill 2204, aimed at increasing public awareness of radon gas, took center stage during a recent North Dakota Legislature meeting, with strong support from the North Dakota Medical Association (NDMA). The bill mandates that home sellers disclose any prior radon testing results to potential buyers, a move that advocates argue is crucial for public health.

Senator Barta highlighted the bill's amendments, which require sellers to provide test results if they have knowledge of previous radon testing. This addition aims to address a common issue where homeowners are unaware of their property's radon levels due to a lack of documentation. "If I don’t have it in my hand, I can’t provide it to you," Barta noted, emphasizing the importance of transparency in real estate transactions.

Courtney Coble, representing the NDMA, underscored the urgency of the bill, stating that radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. "Many people are not aware of what radon gas is," she said, urging the committee to pass the bill to enhance public education on this critical health risk.

Dr. Stephanie Dahl, NDMA president, shared her personal experience with radon exposure, revealing that her own lung cancer risk was significantly heightened due to elevated radon levels in her home. "Radon is colorless and odorless, making it a silent threat," she explained, stressing that North Dakota has some of the highest radon levels in the country. Dahl's testimony highlighted the need for proactive measures, as she pointed out that many families unknowingly expose their children to dangerous levels of radon.

The committee discussed alternative outreach methods, with Representative Ruby suggesting that incentives for testing might be more effective than a point-of-sale requirement. However, Coble defended the bill's approach, citing successful models from other states and ongoing educational efforts by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality.

As the meeting concluded, the committee's support for Senate Bill 2204 signals a significant step towards addressing the health risks associated with radon exposure in North Dakota. The anticipated outcome is a greater awareness and proactive testing among homeowners, ultimately aiming to reduce lung cancer rates linked to this hazardous gas.