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Only nine states, including New Jersey, now require testing for radon in schools.
The nonprofit Healthy Schools PA released a study last year that focused on environmental issues for schools. Of the school districts in Pennsylvania that responded to their Right-to-Know requests, only 31% tested for radon. Of those, 28% reported levels above the acceptable limit.
High levels of radon have been found in schools across the country, according to the EPA. A nationwide survey found nearly one in five schools have short-term radon levels above recommended levels.
The EPA estimated that more than 70,000 classrooms have high short-term radon levels.
The risk for lung cancer in children resulting from exposure to radon may be almost twice as high as the risk to adults, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. The danger is at least 20 times higher if children are also exposed to tobacco smoke. — (WHYY)
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