KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & ENVIRONMENT BILL GRAVES, GOVERNOR Gary R. Mitchell, Secretary

October 15, 1997

Contact: Vick Cooper

(785) 296-1561

Governor Proclaims Radon Action Week

Governor Bill Graves today proclaimed October 19-25, 1997, as Radon Action Week in Kansas. People across the state were urged to routinely test their homes and private water wells to prevent long-term exposure to high levels of radon, a naturally occurring, invisible, odorless radioactive gas.

"Testing to ensure low-risk radon levels in homes should be as common as purchasing a home smoke or carbon monoxide detector," Graves said. "We especially hope that Kansas families will heed this call to action and take the necessary steps to safeguard their health."

Health officials emphasize that only chronic, long-term exposure to high radon levels can increase the risk for lung cancer. Smokers are at greater risk if they also live in homes which have high radon levels.

"Chronic exposure to radon is considered second only to smoking as a leading cause of lung cancer," Kansas Secretary of Health and Environment Gary R. Mitchell stated. "Radon exposure is, however, arguably the one cause of lung cancer that is easiest to prevent."

A radon level of 4 pCi/l or lower (as indicated by a radon test kit) is considered low-risk. Levels higher than 4 pCi/l can typically occur in buildings or other confined spaces, where the gas can accumulate and become concentrated. It is suggested you test the air in your house; and your household water if you use a private well.

Testing for airborne radon is done with a special test kit, which collects radon from household air, and then is sent to a laboratory for analysis. A kit typically costs $5 to $15 and is simple to use. A variety of short-term (2-3 days) kits and long-term (3-12 months) kits are available. Testing companies may also use direct reading instruments to determine radon levels in buildings. KDHE maintains a list of EPA-listed companies that provide these various test kits and services.

"The reason why we should test our homes is because chronic exposure to radon may lead to health problems. The majority of us spend a significant portion of our time at home, indoors," said Ron Fraass, public health physicist with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE). "Radon levels can vary greatly from one house to another; even if they are next door to one another."

The department also has a variety of information resources available to the public regarding radon. Those with Internet access can visit the KDHE Radiation Control Section home page at: http://www.kdheks.gov/radiation/index.html. From there, users may download and print a Radon Publications Request Form, complete it, and return the form to KDHE.

People can select from nearly 40 publications listed on the form including pamphlets, maps, technical guidances, and publications for schools. Several bilingual, Spanish-only, and Native American publications dealing with radon are available.

The potential hazard of high levels of radon gas exists in all states throughout the U.S. Statewide, approximately 37 percent of measurements performed in homes have exceeded the 4 pCi/l level. The highest radon reading recorded in Kansas to date is 204 pCi/l. It is estimated that indoor radon may contribute to as many as 120 lung cancer deaths per year in Kansas.

If you have questions about radon, call the KDHE Radiation Control Section at 1-800-693-5343. The national Radon Hotline number is 1-800-SOS-RADON.