Personalized Report-Back to Renters on Radon and Tobacco Smoke Exposure

Combined exposure to tobacco smoke and radon increases lung cancer risk, and renters are disproportionately exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS). A quota sample of renters (N = 47) received free radon and airborne nicotine test kits in a primary care setting to explore the impact of a personalized environmental report-back intervention on home exposure. Half of the sampled renters reported smokers living in the home. Taking actions to reduce radon and SHS exposure were assessed at baseline, and at 3-, 9-, and 15-months postintervention; home testing occurred at baseline and at 15 months. Stage of action in home testing and in adopting a smoke-free (SF) home policy increased from baseline to 3 months; we observed no further changes in stage of action over time. Airborne nicotine declined from baseline to 15 months (p = .031; n = 9). More research is needed to evaluate interventions to motivate renters and landlords to test and mitigate for radon and adopt SF policies.