Residential radon testing intentions, perceived radon severity, and tobacco use

Kentucky homeowners requesting radon test kits through the Kentucky Radon Program and randomly selected homeowners (N = 129) completed a survey assessing factors related to their radon testing intentions and perceived severity of radon exposure, including social influence, perceived susceptibility, synergistic risk perception, and tobacco use. Perceived severity, social influence, and current smoking were the strongest predictors of radon testing intentions. Those with higher perceived severity were nearly eight times more likely to plan to test. Perceived severity was highest among females and those rating combined radon and tobacco smoke exposure as much riskier than tobacco smoke alone. Knowing someone who had tested for radon was associated with seven times greater likelihood of planning to test for radon. Current smokers were over six times more likely to plan to test than nonsmokers. The findings have implications for targeting interventions to improve residential radon testing and decrease lung cancer risk.