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 acting 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.
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James Burkhart, Ph.D., Professor of Physics and Chair of the Physics Dept. at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, and the Director of the Western Regional Radon Training Center, meets Michael Pyles, PA DEP BRP Radon Division Chief. |
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Michael Pyles receives his "Radon Hero Award" from John Winston, PA DEP BRP, and Chairperson of the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors. |
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Michael Pyles addresses the audience at the National Press Club, Washington, DC, after receiving the 2008 "Radon Hero Award". |
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John Winston, Michael Pyles and Rep. Dan Reitz, Illinois State Representative, 116th District. Rep. Reitz introduced legislation urging Illinois residents to test homes and schools for radon, and for lending institutions to offer low-interest loans for radon mitigation. Rep. Reitz also sponsered the "Radon Awareness Act" and was the chief sponser of the Radon-Resistant Building Codes Task Force. |
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John Winston and Michael Pyles |
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Elizabeth Cotsworth, Director, Office of Raditaion and Indoor Air (ORIA), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; Michael Pyles; Beth Craig, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; and John Winston |