January is Kansas Radon Action Month

The Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Governor Brownback have proclaimed January "Kansas Radon Action Month" to help educate residents about the dangers of radon exposure and encourage actions to identify and address radon problems in the home. Radon is a tasteless, odorless, colorless, naturally occurring radioactive gas found in nearly all soils which comes from the breakdown of uranium. Outdoors, radon is diluted to low concentrations, but once inside an enclosed space, radon can accumulate to significant levels.

In January, KDHE offers free home radon test kits in various Kansas counties in the Kansas City area. Check www.kdheks.gov and follow the Radon Action Month link for locations and specifics. 

About one out of every three radon measurements performed in Kansas are elevated, being above 4 pCi/l (picoCuries per liter). Some areas have higher levels than others, though elevated levels of radon have been detected in every county in the state. As many as one in 15 homes across the U.S. has elevated radon levels that often go undetected. “Radon is the first leading cause of lung cancer in people who have never smoked and is estimated to cause over 200 lung cancer deaths in Kansas every year,” said Robert Moser, M.D., KDHE Secretary and State Health Officer. “All Kansans should test their homes, fix any homes with elevated radon levels and build new homes using radon-resistant methods.” Bruce Snead, Director of Engineering Extension at Kansas State University said, “Unfortunately, the reality is that radon is everywhere, and the only way to know the radon concentration anywhere, is to test. Kansas Radon Action Month is an ideal time to take action to identify your risk by testing your home.”

These home test kits are a great way for you to begin checking the level of radon in your home. But, the best way to be certain of your test results is to have a certified radon professional, such as Miki Mertz of Complete Home Inspection, handle the test for you. Complete Home Inspection uses a continuous radon monitor that takes samples over a period of two full days, with the test unit placed in the lowest livable level of the house. Windows are kept closed throughout the time of the test. The test results are then averaged into an overall number for your final report. As mentioned earlier, if the radon level is higher than 4.0piC/l, then it should be fixed, or "mitigated".All radon tests done as part of real estate transactions in Kansas must be handled by a state-certified radon tester, such as Miki Mertz of Complete Home Inspection.

Additional information about radon can be found on the Complete Home Inspection web site at http://www.completehomeinspectionkc.com/kansas_city_home_inspection_036.htm, at www.kansasradonprogram.org, and at www.epa.gov/radon.

Whole house inspections, condo inspections, radon testing, mold testing, and more, we do it all for you. Call or E-mail today to schedule your Complete Home Inspection, 913-268-0222, www.completehomeinspectionkc.com.