A fundamental principle of the Region 5 program is that adequate mechanical ventilation,pollutant source control, proper maintenance and housekeeping, and other conditions important for ahealthful, comfortable indoor environment can be provided in an energy efficient and cost effective way. Considering that people are often the most costly component of a workplace, small expenses related to improving an indoor environment may well deliver significant economic gains. The development of a partnership program with commercial office building owners and operators. It is our belief that by focusing on these areas, we will assist in achieving our ultimate goal of healthy people in healthful buildings. We also recognize that these goals can only be reached through partnerships with consumers, manufacturers,school districts and other state and local agencies.
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.
The Region and all of our partners recognize the significant health risk that elevated indoor radon levels pose to the citizens of the Midwest. Our program emphasizes the need for awareness, testing, abatement, and, where appropriate, radon-resistant new construction. The Region also has an interest in integrating radon into more comprehensive State indoor air programs. EPA has determined that environmental tobacco smoke is a known human carcinogen, and recognizes that children's exposure to second hand smoke can lead to or exacerbate lifelong respiratory problems such as asthma. The proportion of households in which children under the age of six are regularly exposed to smoking is approximately 27 percent.