Pennsylvania residents urged to test for radon
The US state of Pennsylvania is urging residents to test their homes for radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas.
The announcement from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection comes during National Radon Action Month, a campaigned designed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) aimed at raising awareness about radon's health risks and encouraging homeowners to take action.
According the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States after smoking, resulting in between 15,000 and 22,000 deaths per year. The EPA reports that about 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes have radon levels above the EPA action level of 4.0 picocuries per litre.
In Pennsylvania, elevated radon levels exist due to state's geological formations, and the gas can seep into homes from the ground. The gas occurs naturally, is colourless, odourless and tasteless, and therefore the only way to detect radon is through testing. The state Department of Environmental Protection is encouraging residents to purchase test kits from hardware stores, and test during the colder months when homes and buildings remain sealed, allowing radon to accumulate to more detectable levels.
Residents who need assistance interpreting test results or determining next steps can contact Department of Environmental Protection's Radon Division at 717-783-3594 or the Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366.
