Whereas, Exposure to elevated levels of radon in homes is believed to be the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and the leading cause among nonsmokers; and,

Whereas, Radon is estimated to result in more than 600 lung cancers in Michigan each year, and the U.S. Surgeon General has issued a National Health Advisory about radon; and,

Whereas, Nearly one in eight homes in Michigan has elevated radon levels and, in some counties, more than 45 percent of the homes have elevated radon levels; and,

Whereas, Any house is susceptible to having elevated levels of radon, even if neighboring houses do not; and,

Whereas, Testing for radon is easy and inexpensive, and houses with elevated radon levels can be fixed; and,

Whereas, The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and Michigan's local health departments are working to inform Michigan citizens about radon and what can be done to reduce radon exposure;

Now, Therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, governor of the state of Michigan, do hereby proclaim the week of October 18, 2009, Radon Action Week in Michigan.  I urge all citizens of the Great Lakes State to become personally educated about this environmental health threat and to test their homes during the upcoming heating season.