There are a number of concerns when buying or owning a home, but the state Department of Environmental Protection is hoping homeowners pay attention to a specific odorless and radioactive gas -- radon.

Bob Lewis, the program manager for DEP’s Radon Division, finds that most people don’t really think of radon, even though Pennsylvania residents should worry about the levels in their home.

“Pennsylvania could be one of the worst states in the country,” Lewis said. “There’s a handful of states that show high levels of radon, and we’re up there. I think about 49 of the 67 counties in the state are EPA zoned 1 counties. It’s just a characteristic of our geography. It’s easy for gas to migrate through the ground.”

View this news segment: https://blog.epa.gov/greeningtheapple/2012/01/31/local-artist-warns-about-the-dangers-of-radon/

Even though today is officially the last day of National Radon Action Month, unhealthy levels of radon in households across the U.S. is an especially serious issue during cold winter months, when windows and doors are kept closed. EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck caught up with NYC resident and LaGuardia high school student Laura Dabalsa, the first place winner in the EPA and Kansas State University’s national Radon Poster Contest.

Alabama residents have a new way to get the latest information on radon. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s radon education program is reaching out to consumers with a new toll-free number.

State radon program coordinator Pat Smith says the toll-free number will enhance people’s access to radon information.

“Our new number is 1(855) ALRADON or 1(855)257-2366,” says Smith. “People should call during regular business hours and will be able to talk with a knowledgeable professional.”
She adds the only time callers will get an automated message is during non-business hours or if staff is assisting other clients.

Callers will be able to get information on a variety of radon topics including testing and how to contact certified mitigation specialists if their home has elevated radon levels.

New York City Student Helps EPA Educate the Public on Dangers of Radon; Wins National Radon Poster Contest Release Date: 01/25/2012 Contact Information: Elias Rodriguez, 212-637-3664, rodriguez.elias@epa.gov

(New York, N.Y. ) What is odorless, colorless and could be a serious health problem that may be right in your home? A LaGuardia high school student, NYC public school, Laura Dabalsa knows the answer is radon. Laura used her knowledge about this important public health issue to create an educational poster that took top honors in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Kansas State University’s national Radon Poster Contest. Laura's poster, which was submitted when she was a student at the Booker T. Washington School, will be featured nationally as part of an ongoing campaign to promote home testing for radon.

View this news segment: http://www.wfmz.com/news/Radon-a-deadly-house-guest-you-may-be-living-with/-/121458/8496548/-/13545wf/-/

Every year there are 21,000 cases of cancer deaths blamed on radon.

January is Radon Awareness Month. Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Protection wants you to know the dangers of this radioactive gas.

Allentown's Jon Ramella is living the American dream.

Less than a month ago he became a first time homeowner.

"I like it so far. [It's] a little overwhelming but exciting too," Ramella said.

Before moving in, Jon already had an unwanted and potentially deadly house guest: high levels of radon.

"A little nervous because it's not the thing you want," said Ramella.

Radon is naturally occurring radioactive gas.

It started when a neighbor’s husband, who had never smoked, died of lung cancer, said Sue Haven.

“His doctor told her she should test her house for radon, and she did – and it was above acceptable levels,” she said.

Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It causes no immediate symptoms but is the No. 1 cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and kills more than 21,000 each year in the United States, according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

To put that into perspective, radon caused more deaths in 2011 than drunk driving, fires and carbon monoxide.

The northwestern corner of New Jersey sits atop a rocky surface that extends from Pennsylvania to Connecticut, but this rocky surface known as the Reading Prong is not harmless.

Instead, it has led to elevated levels of radon, a colorless, odorless gas that causes more than 21,000 deaths a year in the United States, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The radioactive gas, which results from the decay of uranium in soil and rock, can lead to lung cancer if inhaled in large quantities.

With Sussex County and other nearby counties having some of the highest levels of radon in the state, Gov. Chris Christie has pronounced January as Radon Action Month and is encouraging people to check radon levels in their homes.

"We recommend that everyone tests their homes, whether they are in high, moderate or low radon areas," DEP radon spokesperson Anita Kopera said.

The Minnesota Departments of Public Safety and Health are teaming up to raise awareness about the dangers of radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer. Any home - no matter the size or location- can pull up radon gas from the ground. Many people might be breathing in this deadly gas and never know.

We hope this informational video will motivate you to get a radon test kit and pass this powerful message along to your friends and family.

Here’s a link to the video: http://youtu.be/FO6Xq9mJevo

Visit the MDH radon homepage at http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/index.html?utm_source=print&utm_medium=ad&utm_campaign=radonad

(Kansas City, Kan., Jan. 19, 2012) - EPA Region 7 will recognize the Iowa Radon Poster Contest winners at an award ceremony at 1:00 p.m. today at Sacred Heart School in Boone, Iowa.

Iowa's First Lady, Chris Branstad, will attend the event, along with representatives of EPA, Iowa Department of Public Health, American Lung Association of Iowa, and Boone County Health Department. The award ceremony is open to the press.

WHAT: Iowa Radon Poster Contest Award Ceremony

WHEN: 1:00 p.m., January 19, 2012

WHERE: Sacred Heart School, 1111 Marshall Street, Boone, Iowa 50036

WHO: Iowa’s First Lady, Chris Branstad; EPA Region 7 Radiation and Indoor Air Specialist Bob Dye; Representatives from Iowa Department of Public Health, American Lung Association of Iowa, and Boone County Health Department

View this news segment: http://www.fox2now.com/news/morningshow/ktvi-radon-dangers-in-your-home-20120110,0,1525841.story

Warning About Radon in Your Home
Smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer. But do you know what the second-leading cause is? Radon. It's a colorless, odorless, tasteless radioactive gas that's naturally cause by soil decay. And it enters homes through the basement.