Date Published: 01/15/2009 [Source]
A 2005 study found that six southcentral Pennsylvania counties, including Lancaster, had the highest average radon levels in the country.
An estimated 4 in 10 Pennsylvanian homes have elevated levels of radon.
Approximately $62 million has been spent since 2000 on educational efforts to get people to test their homes and for builders to construct radon-safe homes, but a new examination by the EPA's Office of Inspector General says it has not worked.
For example, of 6.7 million new homes built in the U.S. between 2001-2005, only about 7 percent had radon-resistant features. More people are exposed to radon than ever before.
The Inspector General's report says the problem, so far, is because radon testing is voluntary.
"Disincentives" such as Realtors and home sellers who don't want to jinx deals by doing radon tests and finding it present slow progress. And home builders are reluctant to construct homes with radon-resistant techniques, though simple and relatively inexpensive, because they don't want to add to the cost of buying a home.
Unlike some states, Pennsylvania does not require radon testing for a sales contract or on a homeowners' disclosure form. But if a home is tested for radon, the results must be disclosed when the home is sold.
Additionally, unlike some states, state building codes do not require homes be built with radon-protection features.