January is Radon Action Month!
Radon is a toxic, naturally occurring radioactive gas released from the soil, rocks and water of the earth. It can seep into the cracks of your home and poison you. It is the second leading cause of lung cancer and it cannot be smelled or otherwise detected; a testing kit is needed to determine if you have radon in your home.
How radon gas enters a house (US EPA)
Pennsylvania is among the states with the worst radon problems in the United States. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, “Approximately 40 percent of Pennsylvania homes have radon levels above Environmental Protection Agency's action guideline of 4 picocuries per liter.”
Radon levels by state
PA DEP allows you to search for radon test data by zip code here.
Free Radon Test Kit
Get a free testing kit in Pennsylvania and West Virginia here: https://www.lungradonkits.org/
How to get a free radon test kit in other states: https://www.epa.gov/radon/how-do-i-get-radon-test-kit-are-they-free
Buy a Radon Test Kit
You can purchase a discounted test kit online from The National Radon Program Services (NRPS) at Kansas State University. Visit the NRPS site here to learn more.
The National Radon Program Services
You can also buy a radon test kit from a retailer online or in a home improvement store.
The EPA also advises you contact your state radon program for information on how to obtain a test kit from a radon measurement professional.
Buy a Home Radon Detector
Watch how radon testing works