PRINTER'S NO. 3139
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
665
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY BRIGGS, READSHAW, HILL-EVANS, BIZZARRO, KORTZ,
DONATUCCI, BURNS, KINSEY, PICKETT, LONGIETTI, SCHLOSSBERG,
SHUSTERMAN, FREEMAN, McNEILL, BROWN, MILLARD, HEFFLEY,
BERNSTINE, DEASY, MURT, YOUNGBLOOD, McCLINTON AND GALLOWAY,
JANUARY 15, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES AND ENERGY,
JANUARY 15, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of January 2020 as "National Radon Action
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Radon gas is created from the decay of uranium in
soil, rock and water and gets into the air we breathe; and
WHEREAS, While radon is a naturally occurring and generally
harmless gas in the atmosphere, it is problematic when it enters
buildings through cracks in the foundation where it can become
trapped and accumulate; and
WHEREAS, A proven human carcinogen, radon gas has been found
to be the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers
in the United States and claims the lives of approximately
21,000 Americans each year; and
WHEREAS, For the past several years, the United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared January as
"National Radon Action Month" in an effort to encourage
individuals to learn more about their radon gas exposure levels;
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and
WHEREAS, While accumulation of radon gas is a problem in
different parts of the country, the Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP) asserts that this Commonwealth has one of the
most serious radon gas problems in the United States; and
WHEREAS, According to the DEP's website, approximately 40% of
homes in this Commonwealth have radon gas levels above the EPA's
action guideline of 4 picocuries per liter; and
WHEREAS, While Pennsylvanians may access a compilation of
indoor radon test results by zip code on the DEP's website in
order to ascertain samples of radon gas levels throughout this
Commonwealth, the only way to determine the actual radon level
in a specific structure is to have the building periodically
tested, since it has been scientifically proven that radon gas
levels can vary from home to home in the same neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, The EPA and the DEP recommend that all individuals
take the time to periodically test their homes for radon gas
levels; and
WHEREAS, An easy radon home testing device can be purchased
for approximately $30 from a hardware or home improvement store
and should be placed in the basement, or, if the home does not
have a basement, the testing device should be placed in an
undisturbed area on the ground floor; and
WHEREAS, Individuals may also choose a State-certified tester
listed on the DEP's website to conduct the radon gas test in a
home; and
WHEREAS, In many cases, if an elevated radon gas level is
detected in a home, there are inexpensive steps to mitigate the
problem; and
WHEREAS, If the solution is more extensive, the DEP also
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maintains a list of State-certified mitigators available on its
website; and
WHEREAS, During "National Radon Action Month" and throughout
the year it is important that Pennsylvanians know their exposure
levels to radon gas; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of January 2020 as "National Radon Action Month" in
Pennsylvania.
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