Stephanie Logue 

Staff Writer

Szl414@psu.edu

Officials in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, urged residents to be mindful of radon on Wednesday, January 12th. From the earth, the odorless, colorless, and radioactive gas can penetrate your home and other structures. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Second Lady of Pennsylvania are encouraging residents to test for the gas. Cracks, gaps, holes, and even well water allow the invisible burglar to enter homes. If left untreated, it might pose a major health risk.

 “This constant exposure damages your lungs and the lining of your lungs, and it’s something that we can prevent,” said Second Lady Gisele Fetterman. To also comment, DEP Executive Deputy Secretary for Programs, Ramez Ziadeh said  “Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.” For over 20 years, DEP has been using a Targeted Radon Survey campaign to designate localities for radon outreach in an effort to enhance public awareness and radon testing based on historical data and/or geological potential for radon occurrence. East Whiteland Township in Chester County was among this year’s targeted municipalities.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, an estimated 40 percent of residences in the state have increased radon levels. Radon is produced by the natural decay of uranium, which can be found in most soils. Here in Pennsylvania, it is frequent. We found that Pennsylvania’s geology has some slightly elevated levels of uranium,” said Ziadeh. “Because of our geology, it makes us the state that has the most cases of radon,” said Second Lady Gisele Fetterman. 

When radon is trapped within a residence, it builds up. It can also be a problem in schools and workplaces. Fortunately, radon test kits are both affordable and effective. “It’s a small canister. You open it up, you place it in the basement,” said Fetterman. After a few days on the ground level or in the basement, tests must be sent to a lab. The lab will tell you of the results within a week of sending the sample in for testing. Winter, according to Ziadeh, is the best time to test your home for radon.“Winter is ideal because doors and windows are usually closed in the winter time, and that provides for more accurate results,” said Ziadeh. 

If your radon levels are above average after testing, you may need a radon mitigation or reduction system for your home, school, or office. More information and resources about radon can be found at the DEP’s Radon Division, which also includes a radon buyer’s and seller’s guide. There are also videos showing how to test for radon and how a radon reduction system works in the home.The DEP’s Bureau of Radiation Protection has issued a grant to the ALAPA and is partnering with them to provide a limited quantity of free radon test kits to individuals in East Whiteland Township as part of its targeted campaign. Residents of East Whiteland Township should go to http://www.lungradonkits.org/paOpens to request a free radon test kit from the ALAPA. Within the next several weeks after placing an order, a test kit from a DEP-certified laboratory will be mailed. All instructions and return postage are included, as well as laboratory analysis and results reporting.Even if you do not  live in a targeted municipality, you should still test for radon. Kits are easy to use and can be purchased at most hardware stores. All that is required is that the canister be opened, placed in the basement for a few days, and then delivered to a lab. You can also employ a professional radon tester. Radon testing instructions can be found on the DEP website in the form of a video. Visit http://www.dep.pa.gov/radon for additional information on radon, including a list of DEP-certified professional radon testers, mitigators, and laboratories.