Additional information about the dangers of radon gas

Continuing the focus on radon gas begun last month with National Radon Action Month and Kansas Radon Action Month, here are a couple of other things for you to know -

It's easy to think that houses without full basements will also be without radon gas. That's not true at all. In fact, one of the highest radon levels I've seen in more than twenty years of testing was in a house with a walk-out basement. It matters whether the ground under the house has a high concentration of radon, not what kind of foundation the house has. Houses with full basements, houses with walk-out basements, houses built on a concrete slab, and houses with a crawl space underneath are each susceptible to high levels of radon. So don't let anyone tell you that a certain type of house doesn't need to be tested for radon. For your peace of mind, and for the health of you and your family, test the house you're living in now and/or the house you're looking to buy.

How serious are the health issues caused by radon gas? The Secretary of the Kansas Dept. of Health and Environment asked all Kansas physicians to:

• educate their patients about radon and the risk of lung cancer.
• advise patients who smoke to stop smoking. The risk of lung cancer from radon exposure is 10 to 20 times greater for persons who smoke.
• encourage patients to test their homes and to fix any home with elevated radon levels.
• provide patients with information about radon, radon testing and mitigation by visiting www.kansasradonprogram.org.

As the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer in smokers, radon gas is not to be taken lightly. That's why I've installed a radon mitigation system in my own house.

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.