Many homes in Western Pennsylvania have radon levels above the "safe" threshold of 4.0 pCi/l. These areas include Verona, Prospect, Oakmont, Cheswick, Pittsburgh, Belle Vernon, Jeannette, Sarver, Butler, Trafford, and Latrobe. When a home is found to have an elevated level, a radon remediation system can be installed to fix the problem. This is known as "radon mitigation" or "abatement."
According to the National Cancer Institute, radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer next to smoking. Pennsylvania has radon levels that are much higher than the national average which is why testing for this dangerous gas is all the more important if you live in PA. Some of the known radon "hot spots" are located in Allegheny, Butler, Westmoreland, Washington, Beaver, Armstrong, Indiana, Cambria, Somerset, Fayette, Greene, Bedford, Clarion, Jefferson, Lawrence County, Mercer, Venango, Clearfield, Blair, Jefferson, Forest, Elk, Crawford Counties. However, any home could have a radon problem, so you should conduct a test even if you are not in one of the high "zones."
"You cannot see, smell, or taste radon, so the only way to detect the problem is by testing," according to James Budzeak, a certified radon mitigation specialist with Air Quality Mitigation. Radon test kits are available from home hardware stores, health departments, or directly from Air Quality Mitigation by calling (412) 261-1975 or visiting their website: http://www.Pittsburgh-
Radon Testing is easy, inexpensive, and should be a routine part of home ownership especially if you live in The Greater Pittsburgh Area. Some of the "problem" areas are: Coraopolis, Irwin, McKeesport, Bridgeville, Mars, Aliquippa, Glenshaw, Export, Beaver Falls, Elizabeth, Ligonier, West Mifflin, South Park, Murrysville, New Kensington, and McKees Rocks.
If a radon gas measurement in a home, office, school, or commercial building reveals a reading of 4.0 or higher, action should be taken to reduce the levels. Radon removal(reduction)
