Check Your Home for Radon

By Alan S. Peterson, M.D. 

Recently the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s Secretary Kathleen McGinty urged Pennsylvanians to have their homes tested for radon.  Radon is a colorless odorless gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States.  Secretary McGinty said, “Radon causes more cases of lung cancer in America than anything except cigarette smoking”.  She went on to say that we can reduce our exposure to this gas, but the only way to do that is to know what the radon level is in your home by testing for it.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that results from the decay of uranium in the soil.  It enters homes through cracks in basements and foundations.  High levels of radon have been found in homes throughout Pennsylvania and even in many areas in southern Lancaster County.  It is hard to predict which homes will have it.  One may have it.  The very next home may not.

Homeowners can do radon tests themselves.  Test kits are available at most home improvement and hardware stores.  Tests can also be ordered through a Pennsylvania certified radon laboratory.  The American Lung Association can also give you information.  These tests take only a few days and cost around $25.00.

Homeowners can also hire a professional to perform a radon test.  All individuals and companies performing radon services must be certified by the Department of Environmental Protection and registered with the Department.  Radon tests should be done on the lowest home level on which people live, and during the cooler months of the year, when windows and doors are closed.

Once you have a radon test done, it is important to follow the directions on the test kit for interpreting the results.  Take follow-up action if needed.  If radon levels in your home exceed the guidance level of 4 picocuries per liter, a limit set by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency, you should consider measures to reduce that level.

Radon gas can be vented to the outside of a home by any of several means.  Homeowners can install radon mitigation systems themselves, which reduce the radon in the home.  This is a more expensive process and many homeowners may want to have such a system installed by a certified radon mitigation contractor registered with the Department.  Many new homes today can be built with radon resistant construction techniques. 

Pennsylvania consumers also need to know that state law requires a seller of a home to disclose the results if a radon test has been done on the home.  The bottom line is that radon detection and remediation is relatively easy.  Take preventive action to protect the health of your family today.

Information on radon is available by calling the radon hotline at 1-800-23RADON or by visiting the Department of Environmental Protection website at www.dep.state.pa.us.