Did you know that radon gas inhalation is the second-leading cause of lung cancer death in the United States?

Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless gas that comes from decaying radium in the soil that enters buildings through cracks in the foundations. Pennsylvania’s geology puts residents at a higher risk of radon exposure. In fact, all 67 counties have shown radon tests above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L.
 
The accumulation can occur in any building, but can be particularly concerning in confined spaces of large, public buildings such as schools.  Most schools in Pennsylvania do not perform testing despite estimates that 40% of school buildings have unhealthy levels of radon.

 

We will be introducing a bill similar to SB 1328 offered by Senator Devlin Robinson last session.  It will require radon testing, and subsequent mitigation, for those schools that have elevated radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L. Additionally, it will require any newly constructed or remodeled school buildings conduct a test within 19 months of completion.