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Radon: Should we be concerned?
Ask a master gardener
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Several weeks ago, community columnist Dot Moss reported on her efforts to discover whether she should be concerned about radon levels at her home.
Her report was accurate. In South Georgia where sandy soils exist, there is no major effort or concerns to determine radon levels. This is probably due to an EPA report showing us in Zone 3, an area with low potential exposure or exposure at levels below 2 pCi/L (pico curies per liter).
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that enters buildings from the surrounding soil. It is colorless, odorless, tasteless and radioactive. The amount of radon found in many Georgia homes may pose a risk to health. Radon is known to cause cancer in humans and is second only to tobacco smoking as a cause of lung cancer in the United States.
Radon is not regulated in Georgia, so it is up to each homeowner to decide for themselves how much radon is acceptable in their home. Since it is a radioactive gas, there is no "safe" level. The good news is that homeowners can act to lower the amount of radon in their homes and reduce the risks to their families.
Radon is produced by the natural decay of uranium in soil and rock all over the U.S. Radon is also a Class A carcinogen.
Although radon is present throughout the environment, when high levels of radon enter a home or building, people are exposed to more of its radiation and their risk of cancer increases. Such a situation can easily be discovered and corrected.
The surgeon general of the United States, Richard Carmona, recommended in 2005 that every house in the United States be tested. Testing is the only way to know if your family is at risk for lung cancer from breathing radon in your home. Carmona's press release also said homes with high radon levels should be fixed to lower that level.
Because of its geology, much of the soil and rock in Georgia contains uranium, especially in the Piedmont area. Uranium has a long decay chain that eventually breaks down to release radon gas. Therefore much of our state's geology provides an ongoing supply of radon. A map of 20 years test results from one test kit manufacturer shows Atlanta metro area, including Stone Mountain and counties to the north and east are more likely to have a higher radon reading. However, no area of the state is radon-free. Many homes in Georgia have enough radon to pose risk to occupants' health over many years of exposure. Homeowners can reduce this risk, but they must act.
We are not safe from radon in Liberty County? However, the potential for exposure is lower than other parts of the state. I have secured 20 test kits to survey of homes in our area. If you have a concern and would like to determine the levels of radon in your home, give me a call at 876-2133. It is my intent to have these kits used throughout the county. If your neighbors have already volunteered then you may not get an opportunity to participate in this free survey. Now for the disclaimer, each home has to be tested in order to determine if radon levels are acceptable. Your neighbor's home can test at 0 and your home may test at high levels.
You can get more information on radon and other indoor air quality issues at:
www.gafamilies/housing.com
www.epa.gov/radon
www.southface.org

Bell is Liberty County's Extension agent.
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Visit with children a real eye-opener
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One of my favorite activities as a state senator is when I get to speak to students at our local schools. This year, I spoke to third-grade students at May Howard Elementary and Marshpoint Elementary in Chatham County and Button Gwinnett Elementary in Liberty County.
The students from each of the schools had been studying civics and were familiar with the three branches of government — executive, judicial and legislative. I explained my role as a senator in the legislative process and told the children how the citizen legislature in the state of Georgia works.
Presenting each of the schools with a Georgia state flag, I explained the three principles for which the state flag stands — wisdom, justice and moderation — and had them recite the pledge to the flag with me. 
The students at all three schools were bright, respectful and well-disciplined — a tribute to their families and especially to their teachers, who had prepared the students for my visit with ideas for great questions.
The students in Ms. Hutchinson’s class at Marshpoint Elementary were impressive in singing the preamble to the Constitution during my visit. What a great way to learn such an important part of our nation’s history — another wonderful example of the great job our teachers are doing.
I was delighted last week to receive thank-you letters from some of the students. Here are excerpts from a few of their letters:
 
Dear Mr. Carter,
Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come speak to us. I learned so much! I learned that there are two kinds of Pledge of Allegiances. That is pretty cool.
Do you travel all over the world do you? I really like that you taught me more about the three branches of government.
— Megan
 
Dear Sen. Carter,
Thank you for telling us about your job and your favorite thing about your job. I liked the Georgia state flag. I still have more questions. Do you have to work on Saturday and Sunday? Are you the only one who makes the laws?
Yours truly,
Ryleigh 


Dear Sen. Buddy Carter,
Thank you for coming and letting us have a little bit of your time. I want you to know that I learned something new. The Georgia pledge! Justice, wisdom and modesty! Thanks again!
— Liam
 
Dear Sen. Buddy Carter,
Thank you for coming and helping us learn more about the government and some of your job. Thank you for giving us a Georgia flag. It was fun when you came. Thank you for giving us some questions so we could answer them.
P.S. Did you ride in a limousine? I was going to ask you a question but then I forgot. But now I remember. How many rooms are there where you work? You can send me a note if you can.
Your friend,
Erin
 
I’m uncertain whether the students learned as much from me during my visit as I learned from them. One thing that I was reminded of was the honesty that comes from the innocence of childhood. I wasn’t quite sure how to interpret some of the questions, such as the one asked in this letter:
 
Dear Sen. Carter,
I loved your speech. Thanks for coming to our school. I think my favorite part was when we held the flag. It was so fun! I have a question: How many people voted for you?
Sincerely,
Shelly
 
I also was more than a little concerned about a recurring question in the thank-you notes that was posed to me during one of my visits by a beautiful, brown-eyed girl who, with a very serious look on her face, asked “Did you ever get re-elected be-fore?”


What a great group of young people! My faith and hope in our future has been reassured. What an amazing job our families and teachers are doing on a daily basis to support and encourage our next generation. Thank you for your dedication to teaching our leaders of tomor-row.

Sen. Buddy Carter can be reached at Coverdell Legislative Office Building (C.L.O.B.) Room 301-A, Atlanta, GA, 30334. His Capitol office number is 404-656-5109

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