Beware of a silent threat in your home: radon. This colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas naturally lurks in the soil. The silver lining? Take action this winter, especially during Radon Action Month in January, to safeguard your home and loved ones.
Here are the facts on radon:
- Radon and lung cancer
Radon induced lunch cancer is the number one cause of death in homes and is the second leading cause of lung cancer. One in four Kansas homes have high levels of radon.
- Radon in Kansas
Radon seeps into your home through the ground, exploiting cracks and openings in the foundation. According to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, the average indoor radon level statewide stands at 5.4 picocuries of radon per liter (pCi/L), surpassing the EPA threshold of 4.0.
- How do I know the level of radon in my home?
Testing is the only reliable way to determine the radon levels in a home. Test kits can be obtained from your Southwind Extension District office for a reduced fee, which includes a lab analysis and return postage.
- My home has elevated radon levels, now what?
The most common technique to reduce levels is called Active Soil Depressurization. An ASD mitigation system is a permanently-installed pipe-and-fan system that places a direct constant vacuum on the soil beneath the home’s foundation, so the amount of radon that can penetrate into the living space is reduced.
More information about radon, testing, and mitigation is available at www.kansasradonprogram.org or by calling the Kansas Radon Hotline at 1-800-693-5343. To purchase a test kit locally, contact Tara Solomon-Smith, tsolomon@ksu.edu, or call 620-244-3826.
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Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service