Michael A. Pyles, who heads up the Department of Environmental Protection’s Radon Program recently received the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors Award for Meritorious Service

In giving Pyles this award, the CRCPD Board of Directors noted Mike’s “outstanding efforts in providing the States an excellent technical and programmatic agenda for the National Radon Meeting; providing review of the Radon Mini-grant Program, which has provided States with radon initiatives that otherwise would not have been accomplished; providing input to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding publications and public awareness activities; and providing liaison for CRCPD with the American Association of Radon Scientists and Technologists.”

The award also says Pyles’ efforts “have resulted in improved technical and programmatic capacity within the States and improved information to the general public.”

Here in Pennsylvania, Pyles has led successful public outreach efforts, including producing television, radio, and print public service announcements urging people to test their homes for radon, the Radon Newborn Program, which partners with hospitals to provide free radon test kits to parents of newborn babies, and working to educate real estate agents on the issue of radon.

Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that occurs naturally in soil and rocks through the breakdown of uranium. It seeps into homes through tiny cracks in basements and foundations. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States. Homes throughout Pennsylvania have been found with high levels of radon, but the only way to know your homes level is to test.

For more information, visit DEP’s Radon webpage.

5/26/2006