The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is urging home and business owners to get their properties checked for radon gas.
“Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., and the first in people who have never smoked,” Dr. Lee Norman, Secretary of KDHE said. “The good news is that prolonged exposure to high concentrations of radon can be prevented.”
Radon gas occurs naturally in soil and can leak into basements and become concentrated. In Kansas, more than 200 lung cancer deaths annually can be tied to radon exposure. The EPA estimates 21,000 lung cancer deaths across the country can be attributed to radon.
Test kits are relatively inexpensive and can be ordered online or found at local hardware stores. Both Lowe’s and Home Depot stores in Wichita show the test kits in stock. Samples do have to be mailed in for testing and you’ll have to pay for shipping.
If your test comes back positive there are state-certified contractors that can help you out. A list of certified radon contractors is available by calling the Kansas Radon Hotline at 800-693-KDHE (800-693-5343).
