The American Lung Association in Pennsylvania (ALAPA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection have announced that they will provide free radon test kits to members of the public during January, National Radon Action Month. Kits will be available through Friday, Jan. 29, while supplies last.

Radon is an invisible, radioactive gas that comes from rock and soil and that can be found anywhere. It enters homes or buildings through cracks in walls, basement floors, the foundation and other openings, and it can exist at dangerous levels indoors. Exposure to high levels of radon over time can cause lung cancer, according to the U.S. Surgeon General, and the American Lung Association reported that radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

The only way to detect dangerous levels of radon in one's home is to test the air. Schools and day cares are also encouraged to request kits as testing for radon in schools is not required in most states, nor is fixing any problems that may exist, according to the American Lung Association. The organization encourages schools and day cares to enlist professional help when testing.

The free test kits may be ordered at http://www.lungradonkits.org. Kits are limited to one per household, and availability varies according to the region of Pennsylvania in which one resides. Additionally, individuals requesting kits should be Pennsylvania residents who do not have previous test results for their homes.

To learn more about radon and how to test homes, readers may visit http://www.lung.org/radon or call the Lung HelpLine at 800-LUNGUSA.

Among its initiatives, the American Lung Association leads a coalition of groups working to highlight the importance of testing for radon in both schools and daycares. More details are available by visiting http://www.lung.org and searching for "National Radon Action Plan."

Other American Lung Association efforts include smoking cessation programs, asthma education and the Saved by the Scan program.