FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dolores Parker
Email: dolores@WomenForaHealthyEnvironment.org
Phone: 412-440-7722
Radon in Schools Working Group Hosts Educational Program and Announces New Radon Testing in Schools Legislation
Pittsburgh, PA – October 2, 2024 – Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) is pleased to
announce an educational event on the dangers of radon exposure in schools, hosted by WHE’s
Radon in Schools Workgroup. This event will take place on October 2, 2024, from 10:30 AM to
noon at the Pennsylvania State Capitol and will highlight the announcement of a new bill
requiring radon testing in schools by Senator Devlin Robinson (R-Allegheny).
The Radon Educational Program is designed for legislators and their staff to learn about the
serious health risks posed by radon—a colorless, odorless radioactive gas and the second-leading
cause of lung cancer in the United States. With Pennsylvania’s unique geology, many schools are at
an increased risk, yet the majority do not conduct regular testing. A nationwide survey of radon
levels in schools estimates that nearly one in five has at least one schoolroom with a short-term
radon level above the action level of 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter) – the level at which EPA
recommends that schools take action to reduce the level. The program will address the impact of
radon on children’s health, the steps needed to protect schools, and policy solutions for effective
radon testing and remediation.
Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Executive Director of Women for a Healthy Environment,
emphasized, “Radon exposure in schools is a significant concern to public health; however, through
testing and mitigation we can prevent this environmental harm. Protecting the health of children,
our most vulnerable population, as well as the school personnel who spend often decades in these
buildings, should be a top priority, and we applaud Senator Robinson’s leadership in this effort.”
In support of this initiative, Kevin Stewart, Director of Environmental Health Advocacy and Public
Policy for the American Lung Association, added, “Forty years ago, the discovery in Pennsylvania
that extremely high levels of radon could occur in typical homes and other buildings made the
nation aware of this radioactive hazard. The fact that, forty years later, most of Pennsylvania’s schools
still have not yet been tested and fixed for radon, the second leading cause of lung cancer, is a
tragedy and our unmet obligation. It’s time for Pennsylvania to lead once again, as the
Commonwealth did in the 1980’s.”
Nate Burden, PA Indoor Environments Association Chapter President, echoed the sentiment, “All
Pennsylvania public schools should be tested for elevated levels of radon gas, a radioactive toxic
pollutant that enters school buildings and puts our children and teachers at risk of lung cancer and
other associated diseases.”
The event will feature a detailed discussion on radon’s health impacts, expert guidance on radon
mitigation in schools, and a youth perspective from 17 student leaders who will attend.
Additionally, Senator Devlin Robinson will provide a legislative regarding his bill which will require
all Pennsylvania schools are to test for radon every five years and implement remediation if levels
exceed the EPA’s safety threshold.
Event Details:
Date: October 2, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM – Noon
Location: Pennsylvania State Capitol
Hosted by: Women for a Healthy Environment’s Radon in Schools Workgroup
The event is open to all legislators and their staff. Media and interested parties are welcome to
attend.
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About Radon in Schools Working Group: Focuses on raising awareness and advocating for
mandatory radon testing and remediation in Pennsylvania schools. The group works alongside
legislators, public health experts, and community members to address the dangers of radon exposure
in educational settings and develop policies to protect students and staff from its harmful effects.
Member partners: American Lung Association, Women for a Healthy Environment, PA Indoor
Environments Association, Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction, Premier Youth Ambassadors
for Radon Reduction, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Helping Solutions, LLC, RadOn-RadOff, and PA
Radon Health Equity Workgroup.
About WHE: WHE is a non-profit organization that empowers underserved communities to build
resilience, promote equity, and safeguard children from environmental health hazards. The
organization collaborates with families, schools, and early learning centers to create healthy
environments where children can flourish. Guided by science, it advocates for policies and programs
that foster equitable lives free from environmental harms.
