EPA offers free radon testing kits. January 26, 2012 January is national Radon Action Month and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency encourages everone to test their homes for radon. The winter months are an especially good time to test homes and building because windows and doors are closed tightly and people are spending more time indoors. Unsafe levels of radon can lead to serious illness. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States with an estimated 21,000 deaths a year. Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths. By making simple fixes in a home or building people can lower their health risks from radon. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas and so testing is the only way to know if it is present indoors. The easy to use test kits are available at home improvement centers and hardware stores, and costs approximately $ 20. The cost for the analysis is included in the purchase price and instructions included in the kit provide further details. Test for radon and fix the problem if you find elevated levels. These easy actions can lower the risk of lung cancer. For more infomration about radon and radon testing, see: www.epa.gov/radon/ .
Help for Veterans. Fayette County Community Action Agency has help available for veterans including: rental assistance; utility assistance; Women, Infants & Children program; compass applications for medical assistance, Food Stamps and cash assistance through the PA Department of Public Welfare; food bank; GED and educational services through the PA careerLink; and services through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. Tammy Knouse can be reached at 724 430 3013.
LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) 724 439 7125 helps low-income people pay their heating bills through home heating energy assistance grants and crisis grants. Participants do not need to have an unpaid bill to receive home heating energy assistance.
Fayette County Assistance Office, 41 West Church Street Uniontown 877 832 7545 or 724 439 7015
feedFAYETTE A county wide initiative to help people save money on food. There are no qualifications or restrictions to participate. www.feedFAYETTE.com
