The Department of Environmental Protection has identified a home in the Center Valley area of Lehigh County with the highest home radon level ever measured in Pennsylvania.

DEP encourages all area residents to have their homes tested for radon. This is especially important now that homes are winterized, limiting the amount of fresh air that will be entering those structures.

The concentration measured was 3,715 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Additionally, several other homes in the area have had measured concentrations over 1,000 pCi/L.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends that that any dwelling or structure with a radon concentration of more than 4 pCi/L be remediated to lower the radon concentration. In this circumstance, DEP recommended the occupants vacate the home until the measured radon concentration is verified and remediated to a level less than 4 pCi/L.

"Radon can be a serious health risk to people when they are exposed to high levels of it over a long period of time," DEP Acting Secretary Dana Aunkst said. "While recent results in this area are among the highest ever measured, it's important to know that the risk is easily remediated."

Elevated radon levels in homes in this area were initially observed in September. In response, DEP sent letters to more than 500 Center Valley area residents and included a coupon for a free test kit to encourage the residents to test their homes. The residents of the home with this highest measured radon concentration responded to that letter by testing their home.

Testing for radon is the only way to know if a home, school, workplace or other structure has elevated concentrations of radon. Most test kits can be purchased at hardware or home improvement stores at an average cost of $15 to $25 per test. The cost of a mitigation system typically ranges around $1,000.

While elevated radon concentrations in homes may be more common in certain regions of the state, the potential exists for any home in Pennsylvania to have high radon levels. Elevated radon levels have been detected in all 67 counties. About 40 percent of homes in the state have the potential for radon levels above EPA's action level.

For more information about radon, including information on interpreting test results and finding a Pennsylvania-certified radon contractor, visit

www.dep.state.pa.us, keyword: Radon, or call 800-23-RADON.