January is National Radon Action Month, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection hopes that raises awareness about the importance of home testing because the state has some of the highest radon levels in the country.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that enters homes from the ground. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer.
About 40% of homes in the state have radon levels above federal guidelines, which is why environmental and other state agencies continually urge residents to check for radon, which is odorless, in their homes.
“Since you can’t see or smell this gas, doing a simple radon test is one of the practical actions Pennsylvanians can take to keep their home a healthy place,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell in a news release.
The American Lung Association and DEP are giving out free radon test kits while they last via the association’s website. Some radon detectors can be checked out from community facilities such as the Northland Public Library in McCandless.
The DEP also offers additional testing for free for homes already flagged for high levels of radon. For more information, call the DEP’s Bureau of Radiation Protection at 800-237-2366 or 717-783-3594.
Test kits also are available for about $20 at local hardware stores.
The state health department is urging residents to check radon levels especially since many are spending lots of time at home because of the pandemic, said Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine.
DEP sponsored a poster contest to promote radon awareness with students throughout the state. Kylee Jo Ware, a student at North Star Middle School in Stoystown, Somerset County, won third place.
The EPA offers an online map illustrating radon levels throughout the country, and it shows Allegheny, Armstrong, Butler and Westmoreland counties as having some of the highest levels.
