| |
 To view meeting: https://youtu.be/pCXSSYgahs0 May 9, 2023 - Radon, an invisible radioactive gas, is the second leading cause of lung cancer. Pennsylvania has one of the most serious radon problems in the country. About 40 percent of homes in the Commonwealth have radon levels above what the EPA considers safe. Jeri Jones, local geologist, revealed why, and how, you should test your home for radon. In Pennsylvania, 49 out of the state’s 67 counties are considered high-risk for unsafe radon levels. Jeri explained the severity of this toxic gas. “The EPA estimated that in the United States about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year are due to radon. All of Dauphin, York, Cumberland, Adams, Lancaster, Lebanon counties are more prevalent areas,” Jeri said. “The only way to determine whether it exists is by testing for it.” Radon test kits should be placed in the lowest level of a living space so basements or first floors are ideal. Place the test kit at least 2 feet off the ground, away from any windows. Avoid kitchens, bathrooms and garages. The EPA recommends fixing your home if your radon level is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher. Consider fixing if your level is between 2 and 4 pCi/L. Radon mitigation systems are effective and low-maintenance. The State DEP Radon Division recommends testing for radon every two years, even with a mitigation system already installed. “Really the only thing that’s going to go wrong is the fan. That’s the only moving part of it and you can even see that because they put some indicators on so you can see the fan is moving. Other things can potentially happen. Your water table can rise, you get new cracks in your foundation, or maybe you put an addition on,” said Jones |