A riddle: You can’t taste it, you can’t see it, you can’t smell it, but it’s the second greatest cause of lung cancer in the United States. What is it?

Give up yet?

Radon.

A widespread phenomenon in the Central Pennsylvania region, it is so prevalent that government epidemiologists have been sent here to study it and its effects upon our population.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can be found almost anywhere. It can enter your home through a dirt floor in the basement, cracks in the foundation, or even well water.

A radon check is standard when you’re buying a home, but many homebuyers opt out of the test to save money come closing time. As currently landlords have no obligation to test for radon, renters have no real way of knowing if their homes have radon, short of requesting a test themselves.

If radon is discovered in a home, all is not lost. Patching foundation cracks, placing a vapor-barrier (a heavy, specially designed plastic cover) over a dirt or cracked cement floor can go a long way to cut back on the gas. Increased ventilation in the basement is another solution that isn’t cost prohibitive.

There are several other dangers that may or may not be familiar to homeowners or renters in Central Pennsylvania. First of all, there’s lead paint. It has been well publicized that any home built before 1978 contains lead paint; it was the standard in most properties, being easy to use and lasting a long time. Unfortunately, lead paint is also a significant cause of lead poisoning.

Lead poisoning is a potentially serious ailment. Lead is known to cause brain damage (particularly in children), as well as liver and kidney disease, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and a host of other ailments.

The only way to know for sure if the paint in your home is lead-based or one of the newer oil- or latex-based paints is to have a sample checked by a lab. However, there are some suspicious qualities that the average renter can identify. Lead paint is shinier than much of what we use today, and has a thicker texture when it flakes off.

By law, when someone rents or purchases a home for residential use that was built before 1978, the realtor or landlord must sign a disclaimer saying that the buyer was alerted to the possibility of lead paint in the home. The seller’s agent must provide the buyer with information about the potential presence of lead paint and information on how to protect the buyer’s family from it.

The best and cheapest way to deal with lead paint should you discover you live with it is simple — paint over it. Keep the paint in your house free from chipping and peeling, and keep the chips, should they occur, off the floor. Believe it or not, lead paint has a deceptively sweet taste and children are notorious for putting those colorful little chips in their mouths.

Water can present a health hazard as well. Older water systems tend to have lead solder that can leach into the water that the family drinks. Have the water tested and take precautions. Qualifying homeowners in Harrisburg have access to a city program that may help pay for these repairs.

Asbestos is another health hazard that has received plenty of press. The Fair Housing Council of Harrisburg receives many calls from people asking how to discern whether there is asbestos in their dwelling and whether the landlord has a responsibility to remove it.

Asbestos comes in many forms and has been widely used as an insulator and fire retardant in millions of homes, apartment buildings, and offices. It is most commonly found in ceiling and floor tiles or in pipe, wire, or wall and ceiling insulation. Asbestos is also an excellent soundproofing substance.

Asbestos consists of tiny fibers that can be hazardous to the lungs if airborne. But the key thing to know is that asbestos is only a health threat if it has been disturbed or is in bad shape. If asbestos is discovered in a living or workspace, it should be left untouched. Only licensed contractors should handle asbestos removal; notify a landlord or contact a professional if you are the homeowner.

Then, there is the much despised health hazard that moves — the cockroach. Those disgusting creepy crawlies are well known for getting into food, clothes, even a toothbrush — nothing is sacred. But cockroaches are not only repulsive and dirty; they are also now known to be a significant cause of allergies and asthma attacks. Studies are now showing that children who are asthmatic and exposed to cockroaches in their living areas, particularly bedrooms, are more than three times as likely to be hospitalized for serious asthma attacks. Additionally, they had nearly 80 percent more unscheduled doctor visits for asthma than children with allergies to dust or even cats.

Like dust mites, cockroaches secrete proteins, saliva, and feces that collect in household dust. Scientific studies show that between 35 and 60 percent of city dwellers are allergic to cockroaches, and cockroach allergens are known to trigger severe asthma attacks even in adults who are prone to only mild allergy symptoms otherwise.

To eradicate cockroach allergens, vacuum as regularly as possible. It also helps to make sure there is no food (not a crumb) left out in the kitchen or elsewhere, to wash bottles and cans thoroughly before recycling, and to use (childproof) bait traps. Exterminators should come regularly, because if roaches sense a safe return is possible, they’ll be crawling back before you know it.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania guarantees renters the right to a safe, sanitary, healthy place to live. Landlords are responsible for maintaining properties in a livable fashion, even if the lease doesn’t say so. Pennsylvania law includes a statute known as "The Implied Warrant of Habitability," guaranteeing citizens the right to have housing maintained in a safe and sanitary manner.

Renters who notice potentially problematic situations should contact landlords and give them a deadline for repairs. Should the deadline pass with no action from the landlord, the renter may have the right to repair the property and deduct the cost from the rent, to withhold some part of the rent to make the repairs, or to move to better housing with no obligation to the existing lease.

Let the landlord know you’re serious. Only you have the ability to protect yourself and your family from the multiple health hazards of the home.

For more information on addressing these problems, contact the Fair Housing Council of Harrisburg at 238-9540.