After a sudden diagnosis of terminal lung cancer, lifelong nonsmoker Kerri Robbins discovered her home had dangerous radon levels and is now determined to warn others of the radioactive gas.
Lois M. Collins reports for Deseret News.
In short:
- Kerri Robbins, diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, attributes her illness to high radon exposure in her home.
- Radon, an invisible, naturally occurring gas, accumulates in sealed homes and is estimated to cause 20,000 U.S. lung cancer deaths annually.
- Robbins advocates for regular radon testing, which is the only way to detect and mitigate harmful indoor levels.
Key quote:
“The most important thing is that radon is radiation and most people should have a healthy fear of radiation.”
— Dr. Wallace Akerley, Huntsman Cancer Institute
Why this matters:
Radon exposure, though preventable, is a top cause of lung cancer for nonsmokers, yet few people test for it. Regular testing, especially in areas prone to radon, can save lives by reducing indoor exposure.
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