Radon Reporter Dec 2024

8 | December 2024 THE RADON REPORTER | 9 ASSOCIATION NEWS 2024 Board Election and 2025 Board and Council Chairs  Voting for the 2024 Indoor Environment Association election opened August 30 and concluded Monday, September 16 at 1 PM ET. During this period, members exercised their voting rights to elect one of the Association’s Vice Presidents and five National Directors for two-year terms, and one additional National Director for a one-year term to complete the term of a seat vacated by resignation. The election results were: OFFICERS : George Schambach (Vice President). NATIONALLY ELECTED DIRECTORS : Aaron Friedrich, Dawn Oggier, Shawn Price, Kim Steves, and Duane West for two-year terms, and Annie-Laurie Hunter for a one-year term. CONTINUING CURRENT TERMS: Officers : Dave Hill (President), Kyle Hoylman (Past President), David Gillay (Vice President), Jan Fisher (Secretary), Dan Potter (Treasurer) Nationally Elected Directors : Nate Burden, Zan Jones, John Mallon, Kevin Stewart Chapter Council Directors : Myca Bruno, Phil McDonnell Nominations for the 2025 IEA Board Election will be open from May 1 to July 1, 2025. ASSOCIATION NEWS Update: IEA and the American Lung Association’s Ongoing Fight Against Lung Cancer and Support for Radon and VI Professionals Since August 1, the radon and vapor intrusion industry, Indoor Environments Association (IEA) and the American Lung Association (ALA) have united to address a critical issue for those in the radon industry and their families through their Freedom from Smoking Campaign. Given the elevated lung cancer risk for individuals who are regularly exposed to radon and also smoke, this program is vital. By combining tobacco cessation with radon exposure reduction, the campaign offers a powerful approach to lung cancer prevention. Spearheaded by Kevin Stewart, ALA Director of Environmental Health, Jennifer Folkenroth, ALA Senior Director of Nationwide Tobacco Programs, and Nate Burden, President of the Pennsylvania IEA Chapter, the collaborative initiative reaches professionals and families alike through educational platforms, outreach events, and continuous support. The Freedom from Smoking Campaign has already received strong support across IEA’s network. From presentations at the annual Indoor Environments Radon and Vapor Intrusion Symposium to monthly IEA board meetings and the November IEA Chapter Council meeting, each event has highlighted the importance of addressing radon-smoking synergy in lung cancer prevention. Although enrollment in the Freedom From Smoking program has started slow, the response to related events has shown strong interest in the campaign’s mission. This November, the campaign took on even greater significance during Lung Cancer Awareness Month, with a November 21 webcast titled Radon-Smoking Synergy: Proven-Effective Strategies to Lower Your Risk for Lung Cancer , drawing in an engaged audience and marking the annual Great American Smokeout® tobacco awareness event organized by the American Cancer Society. Attendance was impressive, with participants engaging actively in discussions on reducing lung cancer risks associated with radon exposure and smoking. This high turnout suggests a significant demand for resources and support in managing these risks among radon industry professionals and their families. The webcast, led by experts from both the ALA and IEA, including Jennifer Folkenroth, Kevin Stewart, and Nate Burden, offered participants a closer look at the intersection between radon and smoking risks and actionable, proven strategies to mitigate lung cancer risk. The conversation underscored a stark reality: tobacco smoke and radon are the leading causes of lung cancer, and exposure to both can significantly amplify cancer risk. Addressing these factors in unison is crucial, given that lung cancer takes more lives each year than breast, prostate, and pancreatic cancers combined. (continued on next page)