By: Ryan Duey

January is Kansas Radon Action Month. According to the EPA radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is estimated to cause around 21,000 lung cancer related deaths in the U.S., making it the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths across the country.

The K-State Research and Extension River Valley District encourages patrons to use January as a time to check their homes for Radon. Monica Thayer, Family Resource Management Extension Agent, said Kansas has high levels of Radon. She spoke on the harms of Radon.

“The biggest harm with radon is that you can’t detect it without doing testing. There is no odor, there’s no taste, there’s no color to this gas. Outdoors, there’s no harm, however indoors, it’s a trapped space so radon can accumulate and cause dangerous levels.”

All River Valley District Extension offices have radon tests available to check the levels in your home for a small fee. Thayer said this short-term test takes between 24 to 48 hours.

“You can come in and grab a test from us, it’s $7.50. When you get it all of the instructions are in the packet that you receive. It tells you exactly what to do with the test and comes with everything that you need. If the test shows high levels of radon, we recommend you do a second short-term test or a long-term test to verify.”

“If you are having high levels of radon it is recommended that you do some sort of mitigation. There are different certified radon service professionals throughout that District who can install a radon mitigation system in your home.”

Radon comes from beneath your home, the mitigation system is designed to pull the gas from underneath the house outside. More information on radon can be found at www.kansasradonprogram.org or by contacting Thayer at the Republic County Extension office.