Radon-related Events & Training
DEP Radon Division Chief Receives National Recognition
Pennsylvania DEP BRP Radon Division Chief Michael PylesPennsylvania Sec. of Environmental Protection John Hanger

HARRISBURG  (January 30, 2009) — Michael Pyles, chief of the Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Radiation Protection’s Radon Division, has been honored with the 2008 Radon Hero Award from the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors for his efforts to reduce the health effects of radon exposure.

Radon, a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally through the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. and is responsible for an estimated 22,000 deaths every year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“Mike Pyles is a public servant of the highest order,” said Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger. “Through his tireless efforts and leadership, we have raised awareness of the dangers radon exposure can pose and the need for testing homes. His efforts to build Pennsylvania’s program into a national leader have helped save lives.”

National awareness of the dangers of radon began with discovery of extremely high levels in the home of a Pennsylvania nuclear power plant engineer in 1984. The source of the radon was determined to be the soil and rocks below his home.

Pyles, still a new employee with DEP’s Bureau of Radiation Protection at the time, began an all-out effort with his colleagues to scope-out the extent of the problem across the state. Approximately 40 percent of homes in Pennsylvania are now known to have radon levels above the 4.0 picocuries per liter level where the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends corrective action.

As the seriousness of radon exposure emerged in the mid-1980s, the DEP team fully embraced the need to test homes and mitigate as needed. Pyles worked to develop some of the first national and state standards and regulations in the country to ensure the testing and mitigation were performed effectively.

His efforts over the years have included development of Pennsylvania’s Newborn program to provide free radon testing kits to parents having a new baby, widespread public outreach efforts, direct involvement with major research studies involving geology, drinking water and soil moisture, and, years of dedicated service to the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors.

“Mike's generous and approachable leadership style has benefited other state radon leaders across the country,” said William Bell, chairman of the CRCPD E-25 Committee on Radon, and supervisor of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health’s Radon Unit. “When faced with an issue, state radon folks know that Mike has probably already ‘been there and done that.’ Mike's willingness to share what he has learned for the benefit of others makes him a valued mentor.”

Pyles, 56, lives in Wernersville, Berks County, near the Reading Prong, a geological formation that contains elevated levels of uranium and thorium. The prong extends from east of Reading, through three Pennsylvania counties, and into New York, New Jersey and parts of New England.

Pyles has been with DEP almost 35 years. Prior to serving the state, he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from Kutztown University. Pyles has done graduate studies in radiation science, and studied health physics with universities associated with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

January is Radon Action Month and DEP is encouraging everyone to test their homes, schools and businesses.

For more information about how to test for radon, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Radon.


January is Radon Action Month in Pennsylvania

January is Radon Action Month in Pennsylvania


Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Crest
INEXPENSIVE TEST CAN HELP PREVENT
LUNG CANCER CAUSED BY RADON
Gov. Rendell Proclaims January ‘Radon Action Month’

Pennsylvania Sec. of Environmental Protection John Hanger

HARRISBURG  (January 5, 2009) — Using a simple, inexpensive test to detect radon gas seeping into homes could help prevent lung cancer and save thousands of lives, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary John Hanger said today.

“Homeowners can protect themselves and their families from this known carcinogen by using a test kit available for about $25 at hardware stores or by contacting a Pennsylvania certified radon laboratory,” said Hanger. “If radon is present above a minimal recommended level, the home can be fixed for less than $1,500. It’s never too late to reduce your risk of lung cancer. Test your home now and if a problem is found, get it fixed right away.”

Governor Edward G. Rendell has proclaimed January as “Radon Action Month,” and is urging all homeowners to test for radon. Radon is the nation’s second-leading cause of lung cancer and is responsible for an estimated 22,000 deaths every year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally through the breakdown of uranium in soil and rocks. It seeps into homes through cracks in basements and foundations, and can build up inside. The EPA recommends taking action to lower the level of radon in your home if a test finds the level is 4.0 picocuries per liter or higher.

An estimated 40 percent of the homes in Pennsylvania are believed to have elevated radon levels. While radon problems may be more common in some regions, any home may have a problem. The only way to know for certain is to test the air.

“The heating season is the best time to test because your home is closed and it is more likely radon will be at its peak concentrations,” Hanger said. “Knowing whether radon is present and fixing your home -- if necessary -- will provide peace of mind to you and your family.”

Gov. Rendell Proclaims January as Radon Action Month—Click for PDF document

At the Governor’s direction, Pennsylvania has taken the lead on radon education and outreach. More than 83 hospitals now participate in DEP’s newborn radon program, which gives new parents information about radon along with a certificate for a free radon test kit. Radon test kits are available at many home improvement, hardware, outdoor supply, lawn and garden, and department stores, as well as from Pennsylvania-certified radon laboratories. Most people can perform radon tests themselves. Completed test kits are sent to a Pennsylvania-certified lab where the sample is analyzed and the results sent to the homeowner.

Radon mitigation systems typically cost between $800 and $1,200. Most homeowners will choose to hire a radon mitigation professional to install the system. In Pennsylvania, anyone who tests or performs mitigation work for radon on a home other than the one in which they live must be certified by DEP. A list of state-certified radon contractors is available online at www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Radon, then click on “Radon Services Directory,” or by calling 1-800-23-RADON. Pennsylvania-certified radon mitigation and testing professionals are issued radon photo-identification cards by DEP.

Homeowners are not required to test for radon. However, if a home has been tested, the results of that test must be disclosed when the home is sold. For more information, visit www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Radon.


Radon-Resistant New Construction

4 Hour Elective CE units for Builders and
Construction Code Officials

Sponsored by the Eastern Radon Training Center,
Rutgers University and the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Registration Fee – $25
(continental breakfast provided)

This four-hour program is designed for builders, code inspectors and engineers throughout Pennsylvania to provide a better understanding of the market benefits of radon-resistant new construction (RRNC) installation, and how to properly install these systems.

HOW TO REGISTER:

For more information, or to register, you may:

Be sure to identify the specific date you wish to attend.

"Radon-Resistant New Contruction" workshops will be held in various Pennsylvania cities during 2009. This four-hour program is designed specifically for builders, code inspectors and engineers. The marketing and proper installation of RRNC systems are covered.

"Radon-Resistant New Construction"

Radon Training for Real Estate Professionals in Pennsylvania

7 Hour Elective CE units for Real Estate
Agents and Apprasiers

Sponsored by the Eastern Radon Training Center,
Rutgers University and the
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection

Registration Fee – $25 (lunch provided)

Radon affects the home buyer, seller, and the real estate agent. The radon advice you provide as a real estate agent may have risk management and legal repercussions. This one-day program is designed specifically to help you better understand how radon can affect human health and how to manage the role that radon may play in the real estate transfer process.

HOW TO REGISTER:

For more information, or to register, you may:

Be sure to identify the specific date you wish to attend.

"Radon Training for Real Estate Professionals in Pennsylvania" workshops will be held in various Pennsylvania cities during 2009. This eight-hour program is designed specifically for real estate professionals in Pennsylvania to help them better understand how radon can affect human health and how to manage the role that radon may play in the real estate transfer process. The workshops are approved for 7 CEU's through the Pennsylvania State Real Estate Commission.

"Radon Training for Pennsylvania Real Estate Professionals"


Radon Division Represented at the 2009 Pennsylvania Home Show

Pennsylvania Home Show webpage

The Radon Division was represented at the Pennsylvania Home Show to inform event-goers of both the dangers of radon and how to make their homes and businesses safe.

The Radon Division staffed the Radon Information Booth at the 2009 Pennsylvania Home Show, February 28th through March 8th at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center.

Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex webpage

Radon Division's Matt Shields with the Bureau's Radon Facts Display

Radon Division's Matt Shields is shown here with the Bureau's portable Radon Facts Display booth. Over Matt's left shoulder is a working example of a radon mitigation fan; to his left is a 3-D cutaway model of a well-designed radon mitigation system.


National Radon Contest flyer
2010 National Radon Poster Contest

Once again the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Safety Council are sponsoring the National Radon Poster Contest. Students across the country are invited to create and submit original artwork posters that inform people about radon.

What does the winner get?
  • An all-expenses paid trip to Washington, DC, for the student, his or her parent and a teacher
  • Presentation of the student and their winning artwork at the awards ceremony
  • The winning poster will be used nationwide by EPA and NSC for the following year to promote radon awareness
Eligibility Requirements:
  • Children ages 9-14 are eligible
  • Eligible Organizations:
    • Public schools
    • Private schools
    • Territorial schools
    • Tribal schools
    • Dept. of Defense schools
    • Home school
    • Sponsoring clubs, e.g.,
      • Art clubs
      • Computer clubs
      • Science clubs
    • Scouting organization
    • 4-H Club
Poster Topics:
Choose from the following five topics:
  • What is radon?
  • Where does radon come from?
  • How does radon get into our homes?
  • Radon can cause lung cancer
  • Test your home for radon
Artwork Requirements:
  • Be original
  • Must not have student's name on the front
  • Should include a title on the front
  • Topic and title must be on the Artwork Submission Form
  • Be on white paper
  • Can be created with crayon, markers, paint (watercolor, tempera, acrylic), collage, photographs or computer graphics
  • Lettering and message should be large enough to reproduce well, will all pencil markings erased
  • Copyrighted characters (such as Snoopy), product logs and trademarked or brand names cannot be used
Entry Rules:
  • Entry Deadline:  October 15, 2009
  • Limit of one entry submitted per child
  • The Artwork Submission Form must be completed legibly and submitted with the poster (preferably taped to the back of the poster)
  • Entry Submission Addresses:
    • Visit the Radon Poster Contest Submission List for the correct mailing addresses.
    • Pennsylvania students submit entries to:
      National Safety Council
      1025 Connecticut Avenue, NW #1200
      Washington, DC 20036
      Attn: National Radon Poster Contest

2009 National Radon Poster Contest

Open to all children aged 9 to 14

Winners receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC, for an awards ceremony
NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL ANNOUNCES PENNSYLVANIA’S
RADON POSTER CONTEST WINNERS
State Winners Enter National Competition to Raise Radon Awareness

HARRISBURG (May 1, 2009) — DEP unveiled this year's top-three Pennsylvania entries in the National Radon Poster Contest, which raises awareness about the dangers of radon, the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. The contest is open to all children between the ages of 9 and 14 and is jointly sponsered by the National Safety Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. State and national winners were chosen by the National Safety Council's judges. National winners receive a trip to Washington for an award; the nationally-winning submissions are also used by the National Safety Council and the EPA in their radon public service announcements. The Pennsylvania winners are:

  • First place:  Brian Johnson II, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, who attends the North Hills School District. Brian's teacher is Kris Proctor.

  • Second place:  Jared Taylor, East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, who attends J.T. Lambert Intermediate School. Jared's teacher is Sheila Bove.

  • Third place:  Maylenne Pacheco, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, who attends AMY at James Martin School. Maylenne's teacher is Lynette Brown.

The National Safety Council has posted the various state and national contest winning posters on its website. The National Safety Council has already announced next year's 2010 National Radon Poster Contest. Rules, Submission Instructions and Artwork Submission Forms can be found here.

The "What" & "Where" of "Radon" poster 1st Prize

  Pennsylvania's 1st Prize Winner
by Brian Johnson II, Pittsburgh, Pa.
North Hills School District
Teacher: Mr. Kris Proctor
2nd Prize
  Pennsylvania's 2nd Prize Winner
Radon by Jared Taylor, East Stroudsburg, Pa.
J.T. Lambert Intermediate School
Teacher: Mrs. Sheila Bove 		"Radon is" poster
"Radon—It's Toxic!" poster 3rd Prize

  Pennsylvania's 3rd Prize Winner
Radon: It's Toxic! by Maylenne Pacheco, Philadelphia, Pa.
AMY at James Martin School
Teacher: Ms. Lynette Brown


Click on posters for larger images

2008 National Radon Poster Contest

Open to all children aged 9 to 14

Winners receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, DC, for an awards ceremony
DEP SECRETARY ANNOUNCES PENNSYLVANIA’S RADON POSTER CONTEST WINNERS
State Winners Enter National Competition to Raise Radon Awareness

HARRISBURG (November 15, 2007) — Three Pennsylvania students are advancing to national competition after winning the state’s radon poster contest, which is designed to raise awareness about this potentially dangerous gas.

“I congratulate these students on their creativity in helping to make more people aware of radon, and I urge everyone to have their homes tested for this gas,” Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty said in announcing the winners. “Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States behind cigarette smoking. Many homes throughout Pennsylvania may have high levels of radon, yet the occupants are not aware. That’s why it’s so important to test.”

National Safety Council and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sponsored the radon poster contest for students ages 9 through 14. The Pennsylvania winners are:

The students’ posters will enter the national competition, where the winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in January in Washington, D.C.

UPDATE:  The National Safety Council has posted the various state and national contest winning posters on its website.

"Radon Is" poster 1st Prize

  Pennsylvania's 1st Prize Winner
by Maria Lydon, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Keystone Oaks Middle School
Teacher: Nadine Pisani
2nd Prize
  Pennsylvania's 2nd Prize Winner
by Colleen Devine, Edinboro, Pa.
Villa Maria Elementary School
Teacher: Mary Wright 		"Unless You Live Here" poster
"Radon Is A Silent Killer" poster 3rd Prize

  Pennsylvania's 3rd Prize Winner
by Angelika Wyzlic, East Stroudsburg, Pa.
J.T. Lambert Intermediate School
Teacher: Sheila Bove


Click on posters for larger images

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in rocks and soil through the breakdown of uranium. Radon enters homes through cracks in basements and foundations and can build to levels above what the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency considers healthy.

The only way to know the radon level is to test, which most homeowners can do with kits they can buy for about $25 at hardware, outdoor supply, lawn and garden, and department stores.

Testing should be done during colder months when windows and doors are closed, and on the lowest level of the home on which you live, such as a finished basement.

“The good news is radon mitigation systems can be installed to reduce radon levels quickly and permanently,” said McGinty. “I urge all Pennsylvanians to have their homes tested for radon and if the results indicate the gas is present, take action to lower the radon level in your home for the safety of your family.”

Radon mitigation systems can cost anywhere from about $700 to $1,200. Anyone in Pennsylvania who conducts radon testing or installs mitigation systems on a home, other than the home in which they live, must be certified by DEP. Builders can also use radon resistant construction techniques when building new homes.

Information on radon, including a list of certified radon professionals can be found by calling 1 (800) 23-RADON, or by visiting www.depweb.state.pa.us, keyword: Radon.

DEP SECRETARY CONGRATULATES PENNSYLVANIA
WINNERS OF NATIONAL RADON POSTER CONTEST
Competition Raises Awareness of Second-Leading Cause of Lung Cancer

HARRISBURG  (January 12, 2007) — Environmental Protection Secretary Kathleen A. McGinty today announced Pennsylvania’s state winners in the 2007 National Radon Poster Contest, sponsored by the National Safety Council, in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In August 2006, the Bureau helped promote the National Radon Poster Contest, an annual event to raise awareness about the harmful effects of elevated levels of indoor radon gas and to increase the number of homes tested for radon. Children between the ages of 9 and 14 were invited to create posters that could be used in radon-awareness-related advertising, with the creators of the national contest winning trips to Washington, DC, to attend the awards ceremony.

Each state was represented nationally in one or both of two categories, "hand-drawn" and "computer-generated" posters. The first-place winning entries for each state can be seen on the NSC's National Radon Poster Winners website.

Pennsylvania’s state winner in the computer-generated category is Nathaniel Yingling of Pottsville, Schuylkill County, who is an eighth-grade student at Blue Mountain Middle School. Nathaniel also won third place nationally in this category, and earned a trip with his family to Washington, D.C., for a Jan. 16 ceremony recognizing the national winners. Nathaniel’s environmental education teacher is Charles Heim.

The state winner in the hand-drawn category is Rebekah Price of Landisburg, Perry County, a ninth-grade student at West Perry High School. Her teacher for earth/environmental science is Jennifer Bandura.

"Where Does Radon Come From?" poster


  Pennsylvania's "computer-generated" winner
Also won 3rd Place, Nationally
by Nathaniel Yingling, Pottsville, Pa.
Blue Mountain Middle School, Orwigsburg
Teacher: Charles Heim



  Pennsylvania's "hand-drawn" winner
by Rebekah Price, Landisburg, Pa.
West Perry High School, Elliottsburg
Teacher: Jennifer Bandura
 "What Is Radon?" poster

Click on posters for larger images

Pennsylvania’s second-place and third-place winners in the poster contest’s computer-generated category also are students at Blue Mountain Middle School: Ashley Byerly and Bret Stencovage, both of Schuylkill Haven, Schuylkill County.

The second-place and third-place winners in the hand-drawn category are from West Perry High School: Janey Stum of Shermansdale, Perry County, and Elizabeth Weiner of New Bloomfield, Perry County.

"These students showed some real creativity and talent, and I congratulate them and their teachers for taking an interest in promoting awareness of the dangers of radon," McGinty said. "Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer, leading to an estimated 22,000 deaths each year in the United States, and these students are helping to educate and protect families nationwide."

January is Radon Action Month, as designated by the Environmental Protection Agency. McGinty urged all Pennsylvanians to test their homes for radon during the winter months, when doors and windows are closed and radon levels can build.

Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that occurs naturally through the breakdown of uranium in rocks and soil, and can be found in elevated levels in homes throughout Pennsylvania.

Radon test kits cost approximately $25 and are available at many home improvement, outdoor supply, lawn and garden, and hardware stores.

If a radon test in your home shows a level above 4.0 pico Curies/liter, the EPA recommends you take action to lower the level. These mitigation systems typically cost between $800 and $1,200, though costs vary. Anyone performing a radon test or installing a mitigation system in a home other than the home in which they live in Pennsylvania must be certified by DEP. A list of certified radon companies is available at the Bureau's Radon Division Radon Services Directory webpage, or by calling:

1 (800) 23-RADON.

Contest Sponsers:

Seal of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

House Resolution 513 proclaims January 2008 as
 "Radon Action Month" in Pennsylvania
House Resolution 918 proclaims January 2007 as
 "Radon Action Month" in Pennsylvania

Looking for a thoughtful gift that's small enough for a stocking stuffer, doesn't cost much and saves lives? Give a radon test kit this holiday season and help jump start January as Radon Action Month. Make it your New Year's Resolution to test your home for Radon.

Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, causing an estimated 22,000 deaths a year. Epidemiological studies show that breathing elevated radon for an extended period of time increases the occurrence of lung cancer. The best time to test for radon is during the colder months, when a home is closed and radon levels are likely to be at their highest concentrations. So this is the perfect time of year to give a test kit as a gift and urge friends or family to test their homes.

For a list of Pennsylvania certified radon laboratories and Pennsylvania certified testing companies click here for Radon Services Directories. Radon Test kits can also be purchased in many hardware and home stores and online through the National Safety Council at:

or by calling 1 (800) 557-2366.

Radon Division Promotes Radon Action Month

The Bureau's Radon Division is reaching out to the parents of young children via print advertisments in many popular magazines. Look for our ads in the January 2007 issues of:


Stop RADON before you build.