Real Estate Agents in North Carolina Help Reduce Lung Cancer Through Radon Testing

In a significant stride towards public health, real estate agents in North Carolina are now equipped to play a crucial role in reducing lung cancer rates through radon testing. The initiative, spearheaded by the North Carolina Comprehensive Cancer Control Program in collaboration with the North Carolina Radon Program, introduces a new educational course for real estate agents. This course emphasizes the dangers of radon, a naturally occurring gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and underscores the importance of testing homes for radon.
Radon Awareness: A Statewide Concern While cigarette smoke remains the primary cause of lung cancer, radon follows closely as a significant contributor. Despite common misconceptions that radon is only a concern in North Carolina’s mountainous areas, it is, in fact, a statewide issue. Radon is an invisible, tasteless, and odorless gas that can infiltrate homes through cracks and build up to dangerous levels. The only way to detect its presence is through testing. Alarmingly, radon-related lung cancer claims approximately 400 lives annually in North Carolina alone.
Empowering Real Estate Agents Most home buyers and sellers rely on real estate agents, making them pivotal in educating the public about radon risks. Recognizing this, the comprehensive cancer control program, along with the radon program, developed a continuing education course tailored for these professionals. The course, first offered in 2021, covers how radon enters homes, testing procedures, and the health risks associated with high radon levels. Agents are also taught how to guide clients in hiring professionals to mitigate radon issues if detected.
The course has proven effective, with participants showing a marked improvement in their understanding of radon—from an average score of 67% before the course to 88% after completion. By increasing awareness and testing, the program aims to reduce radon-induced lung cancer cases across the state.
Expanding the Initiative Nationwide The success of this initiative in North Carolina has inspired plans to extend similar educational programs nationwide. The development of a “Radon in Real Estate” toolkit is underway, providing other states with resources and guidance to implement their own courses. This toolkit will include step-by-step instructions, resources, and potential partnerships, enabling real estate agents across the country to educate home buyers about the benefits of radon testing.
For more information on radon and testing procedures, visit the CDC’s pages on Radon and Radon Testing. To explore related success stories, check out the Success Stories Page.