| Radon testing
Radon, a naturally-occurring radioactive gas, is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers according to the Surgeon General and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In an effort to spread the word about radon, its effects and where it is found, January has been designated as National Radon Action Month.
Maine CDC has partnered with Spruce Environmental Technologies to provide low-cost professional radon training courses to interested Maine residents. Registration for these classes continues through the end of the month.
Classes will be held February 8-10 at 100 Waterman Drive in South Portland and are funded in part by grants received from the EPA. A two-day class in residential radon measurement at a cost of $99 (regularly $299) and a one-day class in radon in water ($79, regularly $185), provide the minimum training needed to register to conduct radon testing in Maine
Radon can be found at high levels in many homes and is often found in areas with a lot of granite. Pinette said that home inspectors, contractors and real estate professionals can benefit from learning more about radon testing and how to reduce radon levels.
For more information, or for a list of trained and licensed radon professionals, visit the Maine Radon Homepage at www.maineradiationcontrol.org |
Cervical cancer screening
January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month. Maine CDC encourages women to schedule a Pap test, especially if it has been five or more years since the last test.
Most cases of cervical cancer are easily preventable with regular screening tests and follow-up. It also is highly curable when found and treated early. Women should check with their doctor to find out if they need a Pap test or other cancer screenings, including a mammogram, a FIT test (Fecal Immunochemical Test), or a colonoscopy.
US CDC has posted an online feature about cervical cancer prevention and treatment here.
For more information about breast, cervical or colorectal cancer or to learn if you qualify for free screening, women should call 1-800-350-5180 and press 1 or visit http://go.usa.gov/n2S |
| Travelers’ health
Maine CDC investigated multiple cases of travel-related illness in 2011. With school vacation week coming up in February, it is likely some Maine residents will travel outside the US to warmer climates, putting them at risk for vector-borne and food-borne diseases.
Many travel-related illnesses can be prevented by vaccinations, good hand washing, and knowledge of high risk conditions in other countries.
Travel-related disease conditions seen in Maine:
- Hepatitis A is one of the most common vaccine-preventable infections acquired during travel. It is transmitted by consuming contaminated food or water and can be spread from person-to-person. Hepatitis A can best be prevented by vaccination and good hand hygiene.
- Malaria is a mosquito-borne parasitic disease that can be prevented by taking medication before and during travel. It occurs in more than 100 tropical and subtropical countries.
- Dengue fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness that occurs in many tropical and subtropical countries worldwide. The best way to prevent dengue fever is to avoid being bitten by infected mosquitoes.
- Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease found in the tropics, subtropics, and southern Europe. It is transmitted through the bite of infected sand flies and the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten.
Maine CDC recommends that clinicians counsel patients who plan to travel on precautions they can take to prevent travel-related illness. Clinicians are also recommended to obtain recent travel history, especially travel outside of the US, for symptomatic patients. US CDC recommends vaccines based on the travel destination, which are available at http://go.usa.gov/nb2. All suspected cases of travel-related illnesses that are notifiable conditions (http://go.usa.gov/nbj) should be reported to Maine CDC at 1-800-821-5821.
For more information about travel-related illness, visit:
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