Radon
About Radon
Radon is a naturally occurring, colorless, odorless, radioactive gas that originates in the soil and rocks around homes or buildings. Being a gas, it can easily enter the home through foundation cracks and openings. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has estimated that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking and the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.
Homes in Pennsylvania are particularly prone to radon issues, which makes it all the more important that all homeowners understand the risks and that they understand the options for testing and remediation whether they are involved in a real estate transaction or not. Realtors® can utilize the following resources for their own education and to assist buyers and sellers in understanding their options.
State Resources
- Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection – Radon Division – State agency responsible for PA radon program, including public outreach and the certification of radon testers/mitigators.
- PA DEP Publications Page – Contains many helpful educational publications, including a Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon. Also has links to Federal EPA publications and technical details about mitigation methods.
- PA DEP Radon Services Directory – Official lists of certified radon testers and mitigators, updated monthly.
Federal Resources
- US Environmental Protection Agency – Radon Resources – General resources from EPA.
- Radon Resources for Home Buyers and Sellers – Educational resources geared towards buyers and sellers., including additional materials under “Radon and Real Estate Resources”