(WJET/WFXP) -- It's that time of year for Pennsylvanians to test their homes for radon for National Radon Action Month.
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is promoting this awareness to residents as radon is a serious health hazard.
"Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer after smoking in the United States, and is a serious concern within the Commonwealth," said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. "DEP remains committed to working with home builders, school districts, realtors, family physicians, and other Pennsylvania departments to address radon issues and keep all Pennsylvanians safe."
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon causes an estimated 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. every year.
And in Pennsylvania, about 40% of homes have radon levels above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L (picocuries per liter).
If you're wondering how to detect a radon problem in your home, the DEP recommends doing so by testing.
The best time to test is during the colder months when homes and buildings are closed, and radon is most likely to be trapped and build up to higher levels.
Radon test kits are also available at many home improvement and hardware stores, which can cost between $20-30.
Completed test kits are sent to a Pennsylvania-certified lab where the sample is analyzed, and the results are sent to the home or building owner. Residents can also hire a state-certified radon testing company to do the testing for them.
For questions on understanding test results and what to do next, homeowners can call DEP's Radon Division at 717-783-3594, or the Radon Hotline at 800-237-2366.
Additionally, a list of state-certified radon contractors, labs, and testers is available on DEP's website or by calling 1-800-23-RADON.