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The highly publicized death of singer-actress Dana Reeve this week has raised public awareness about lung cancer, especially among people who have never smoked.

Reeve was the widow of actor Christopher Reeve and was diagnosed with lung cancer in August 2005. She died Monday.

Smoking, including exposure to secondhand smoke, and radon exposure are the leading causes of lung cancer, and radon is the primary cause of lung cancer diagnosed in nonsmokers, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Cigarette smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke cause an estimated 163,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. every year. Radon is the cause of another 21,000 lung cancer deaths annually in the United States, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates.

According to Dennis E. Ellis, executive director of the Department of Public Health and Environment, many of these lung cancers can be prevented.

"Nationally, about one in 15 homes has high radon levels, and that number is probably higher in Colorado because 52 of the state's 64 counties are rated at high risk for radon," Ellis said.

Radon, a colorless, odorless tasteless gas, is produced during the natural decay of uranium. Highly mineralized areas, such as those in Colorado and its mountains, have a bounty of metals, including uranium. As a result, the risk to Coloradans from exposure to radon gas indoors is higher than the national average.

Radon risk comes from long-term exposure to radon in indoor air. Fortunately, radon testing is easy and inexpensive -- and elevated levels of radon can be effectively reduced at the cost of the average home repair.

The Colorado State University Moffat County extension office has free radon tests available. Call 824-9180 or stop by the office, 539 Barclay St.

For more information, call the Department of Public Health and Environment at its toll-free Radon Hotline at 1-800-846-3986.

Groups gathering books for library

The Moffat County High School Student Council and Craig/Steamboat Rotary Clubs have teamed up to raise money and gather new and used books for a public library in Houma, La., that was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.

Community members also would help by donating books to this cause. Books may be dropped off at City Market, Safeway or the Moffat County High School main office.

For more details about books that are acceptable for donation, call Susie Lord at 824-7036.

Children's health fair scheduled for March 16 and 17

Children with developmental problems have a better chance for success if their disabilities are identified before they begin school, the director of the Early Childhood Center said.

"We want to correct those issues before they get to school, and thus increase their chance for success when they reach kindergarten," said Director Sarah Hepworth.

The Moffat County School District operates the center.

Bolstering student achievement is one reason the center will sponsor the 2006 Children's Health Fair later this month. The fair, an annual event for the past 15 years, is scheduled to run from 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. March 16 and 17.

The health fair is free and open to children 5 years and younger; 5-year-olds are only eligible if they have not yet attended kindergarten.

Health professionals from several local agencies will screen children for motor skills, speech, language, social and emotional skills. They'll also check hearing, vision and dental health.

The other reason for hosting the health fair, Hepworth said, is to give parents a "good picture" of their child's development and abilities in key areas.

Also contributing to the health fair is the Northwest Visiting Nurse Association, the Northwest Colorado Dental Coalition and Eye Care Specialties.

The health fair will take place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1295 W. Ninth. Appointments are requested. They may be made by visiting the Early Childhood Center, 775 Yampa Ave., or calling 824-7457.