Noting that past local media coverage of environmental topics, including those dealing with radiation topics, has often been superficial, a study assessed press coverage of the radon problem in the Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania during the first nine months of 1985. The study explored whether local media coverage of radon--a colorless, odorless, radioactive gas, linked to lung cancer and found in high quantities in areas of eastern Pennsylvania--would reflect superficial coverage, and, if it did, the reasons for the trend. The three-phase study included measuring the quantity and level of coverage; interviewing reporters, editors, and decision makers in the Lehigh Valley; and conducting a preliminary public opinion poll that relied on available subjects in shopping malls. Results indicated that although there was a great deal of local coverage alerting the public to the problem, the coverage was in fact superficial. Three factors contributing to the superficiality included (1) the event orientation of the articles, (2) the limited number of scientific news sources cited, and (3) local reporters' and editors' lack of scientific training or background. (DF)