The Nation - News from Dec. 8, 1988

Eighty-one percent of Americans heard or read a recent warning from the federal government that urged Americans to have their homes tested for radon, a high level of awareness for a health hazard that had been in the public eye for only a short time, a Gallup poll found. Among those aware of the government warning on the naturally occurring radioactive gas, about one-fourth (24%) expressed a high degree of concern that their homes might contain dangerous levels of radon; three-fourths (66%) were not very concerned and 9% expressed no concern. Asked what action they had taken in response, 7% said they or family members had tested their homes for radon and an additional 30% said they planned to do so.