Public Response to the Risk from Geological Radon

Assessed the awareness and reactions of the public in New Jersey to naturally occurring radon using (1) questionnaire data from 141 residents who were potentially at risk or who had already been reached by radon information and had made an initial response and (2) data from a 1986 statewide survey of 800 residents. Three general areas of public reactions were evaluated: emotional response, perception of radon as a threat, and relevant behaviors. Although the most common response to the radon issues was apathy, predictors of monitoring, perceived problem seriousness, and emotional distress were identified.