by Margaret Henderson
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Radon Program and Kansas State University have developed a state map by county that represents 73,959 data entries collected since 1988 through June 2014. The map is available for study purposes. The department emphasizes that the only way to know radon levels in a home is to test.
Of the reported test results, 31,539 (43%) exceeded 4 pCi/L, the EPA recommended action level. The maximum result was 1,121.6 pCi/L and 1957 results exceeded 20 pCi/L. The majority of the counties show results exceeding 4 pCi/L. See http://www.kansasradonprogram.org/files/kansasradonprogram/county-map/Ks_Cty_AvgRadon2014.pdf. A downloadable zip file of county maps and test results is available on the site http://www.kansasradonprogram.org/county-map.
An EPA estimate suggests that radon concentrations in one in four homes in Kansas will exceed 4 pCi/L and data collected suggests that the rate may exceed one in four. Approximately 858,000 single family residences are located in Kansas. For further information on radon and cancer incidence in Kansas, see http://www.cancerkansas.org/download/july-22-2014-Meeting/Kansas_Radon_Facts_2014.pdf.
A listing September 2016 listing of Kansas Certified Radon Measurement/Mitigation Technicians by county is provided at http://www.kdheks.gov/radiation/download/Certified_Contractor_List.pdf. (The state makes no endorsement, expressed or implied, of any certified technicians.)
For more information, contact:
Kansas Radon Program at (800) 693-5343
http://www.kdheks.gov/radiation/radon.htm
United States