HARRISBURG, PA — An invisible, odorless gas lurking in basements and crawl spaces is drawing renewed scrutiny as Pennsylvania officials urge residents to test their homes during Radon Action Month, warning that the naturally occurring hazard poses a serious and often overlooked health risk.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection said radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for an estimated 21,000 deaths each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In Pennsylvania, the concern is especially acute: about 40 percent of homes are believed to have radon levels above the EPA’s action threshold of 4.0 picocuries per liter.
“Radon is a serious concern within the Commonwealth, but it is also very easy to protect yourself and your family,” DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley said, encouraging residents to test their homes during the winter months, when radon is most likely to become trapped indoors.
Radon forms naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil and rock, and because of Pennsylvania’s geology, elevated levels are common across the state. Officials stressed that no region is immune and that testing is the only way to know whether a home has a problem.
DEP recommends that all homes, schools, and public and private buildings be tested. January and other cold-weather months are considered ideal because windows and doors are typically closed, allowing radon concentrations to build to detectable levels.
Short-term radon test kits are widely available at hardware and home improvement stores and typically cost between $20 and $30. Kits are placed on the lowest livable level of a home and then mailed to a Pennsylvania-certified laboratory for analysis. Homeowners may also hire a state-certified radon testing company. Even homes with existing mitigation systems should be retested every two years, DEP said.
For homes with elevated readings, permanent mitigation systems can significantly reduce radon levels. DEP said such systems generally cost between $800 and $1,200 and require minimal ongoing maintenance.
Residents seeking help interpreting test results or determining next steps can contact DEP’s Radon Division at 717-783-3594 or the Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366. A directory of state-certified radon contractors, laboratories, and testers is available at https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/programs-and-services/radiation-protection/radon-division/radon-services-directory.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.