Rawlins County

Radon Test=HIGH

Q: I tested my house for radon and the results were high.  Is this something I need to address now?  How do I got about radon mitigation in my home?

A:  Radon is an odorless radioactive gas that results from the breakdown of uranium from soil and rock beneath and around foundations, ground water wells and some building materials.  Radon is an unusual air pollutant because it has a natural source and it’s radioactive. Radon can leak into your house through the basement or crawl space or through well water.  Some building materials such as natural stone or rock can emit radon.  People can’t see, smell, or taste radon and exposure provides no warning symptoms. Humans’ only known reaction is cell damage that can lead to lung cancer.  Scientists are more certain about radon risks than risks from most other cancer causing substances. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, causing 15,000-22,000 lung cancer deaths each year. Smoking combined with radon exposure is an especially dangerous health risk.

The EPA estimates that one in four Kansas homes has dangerous levels of radon.  That’s much worse than the national average of one in 15, but better than the averages in Iowa, Missouri, and Nebraska.  It is important to test your home or any new home for radon.  Levels above 4 picocuries per liter should be mitigated as soon as possible.

The quickest way to test is with short-term tests. Because radon levels tend to vary from day to day and season to season, a short-term test is less likely than a long-term test to tell you your year-round average radon level. If you need results quickly, however, a short-term test followed by a second short-term test may be used to decide whether to fix your home.

The average indoor radon level is estimated to be about 1.3 pCi/L, and about 0.4 pCi/L of radon is normally found in the outside air. The U.S. Congress has set a long-term goal that indoor radon levels be no more than outdoor levels. While this goal is not yet technologically achievable in all cases, most homes today can be reduced to 2 pCi/L or below.  EPA believes that any radon exposure carries some risk – no level of radon is safe. Radon levels below 4 pCi/L pose some risk, but you can reduce your risk of lung cancer by lowering your radon level.

K-State Research and Extension offers in home testing kits for $5.  Radon mitigation usually costs about the same as a good-quality washing machine. Typically, it combines sealing house leaks with installing an under-house system of pipes and venting fans.  For more information, or to find a certified mitigation contractor, please visit www.kansasradonprogram.org.

About JoEllyn Argabright

JoEllyn Argabright is the Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for Kansas State Research and Extension in Rawlins County. She lives with her husband in Atwood and enjoys her time on the family's diversified farm. Jo has earned her degrees from Kansas State University in Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

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