by Ted Cushman
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is redoubling its
efforts to convince Americans
of the danger of radon in
homes. Describing radon as
"one of the most serious environmental
health threats people
face today," a recent EPA
mailing advised all homeowners
to test for radon, and to "fix
your home" (at an average cost
of $1,200) if radon levels
above 4 picocuries/liter of air
are detected. The EPA estimates
that one of every 15
homes needs fixing.
But new EPA-sponsored legislation
on radon has died in
the U.S. Senate, blocked by
Senator Bennett Johnston (DLa.),
the outgoing chairman of
the Senate Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources.
At committee hearings in July
on a bill to reauthorize the
Radon Abatement Act of
1988, Johnston criticized