January 09, 2023
Harrisburg PA – Leaders from the Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Health (DOH) were joined today by a lung cancer survivor to encourage Pennsylvanians to do a simple test for radon in their homes as part of National Radon Action Month.
"Forty percent of homes in Pennsylvania have a higher level of radon gas than federal guidelines," said DEP Acting Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. "Because radon levels vary from home to home based on local geology and house foundation type, all Pennsylvanians should test their home to protect themselves and their families. DEP offers many educational resources to help."
Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that enters homes from the ground as a result of the breakdown of uranium and radium in rocks and soil. Due to Pennsylvania's geology, some of the highest radon levels in the United States have been found in homes around the state. With long-term exposure, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking.
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"We should take radon awareness seriously, as it could pose potential health risks," Acting Secretary of Health and Pennsylvania Physician General Dr. Denise Johnson said. "The danger in radon exposure is that you can't see it, taste it, or smell it. And you won't have any symptoms to alert you, but over time if you are breathing in high levels of radon, it can cause lung cancer. I encourage you to get your home tested and fixed to improve your and your family's health and safety."
To help educate Pennsylvanians on the importance of testing their home for radon, DEP this month launched a public service announcement that may be downloaded and shared: Test Your Home for Radon: Jackie's Story.
Speakers include:
Ramez Ziadeh, DEP Acting Secretary
Dr. Denise Johnson, Acting Secretary of Health
Robert Lewis, DEP Program Radon Manager
Jackie Nixon, Lung Cancer Survivor
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