WHEREAS, radon is a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that may threaten the health of our citizens and their families; and

WHEREAS, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States; and

WHEREAS, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers; and

WHEREAS, the National Academy of Sciences estimates that radon is responsible for up to 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year; and

WHEREAS, radon problems have been found in all parts of Maine, and at least 25 percent of homes tested have radon problems; and

WHEREAS, any home in Maine may have elevated levels of radon even if other homes in that neighborhood do not; and

WHEREAS, testing for radon is simple and inexpensive, and if identified, radon problems can be fixed; and

WHEREAS, the State of Maine, the U.S. Surgeon General, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the World Health Organization are supporting efforts to encourage homeowners to test their homes for radon, have elevated levels of radon reduced, and have new homes built with radon-resistant features;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that I, Janet T. Mills, Governor of the State of Maine, do hereby proclaim the month of January as

Radon Action Month

throughout the State of Maine, and I urge all citizens to recognize this observance.

In testimony whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the State to be hereunto affixed GIVEN under my hand at Augusta this twenty seventh day of December Two Thousand Twenty-Three