Kansas Data on Testing During Real Estate Transactions

by Margaret Henderson

The Kansas Department of Environmental Health and the Kansas Radon Program have analyzed radon data collected over two decades, frequently finding data reveals elevated radon levels. In Kansas, most of the counties are classified as Zone 1, per the USEPA classification. Zone 1 includes counties with predicted average indoor radon screening levels greater than 4 pCi/L.

Data through 2014 is presented in a county map of the state with a total number of measurements equal to 73,959. Of those, 31,539 exceeded the USEPA recommended action level of 4 pCi/L. Measurements of 20 pCi/L or greater were reported in 1,957 results. The maximum reported radon level was 1,121.6 pCi/L and the average radon level was 5.1 pCi/L.

With such high radon levels statewide, testing homes is of great importance and is encouraged by the Radon Program. During real estate transactions, radon a testing is sometimes performed. The Radon Program analyzed testing data associated with real estate sales from a 12-month period June 2015 – July 2016.

Radon testing during home sales reveals that approximately 33% of homes sold in Kansas were tested for radon. Total sales were 38,129 and 12,442 that were sold had been tested for radon. Of the homes tested, about 30% of the homes had high levels of radon and were mitigated. The average mitigation reduced radon levels from a high radon level of about 9 pCi/L to a radon level of about 1.2 pCi/L. Of the 25,687 homes not tested, it is assumed that about 8,500 likely would have tested high for radon.

To assist home buyers and owners on reducing radon levels, the Radon Program provides a brochure on “Radon Levels Can Be Reduced” at http://www.kansasradonprogram.org/files/kansasradonprogram/Radon_Levels_Can_Be_Reduced.pdf

For information on radon in Kansas, contact:
Kansas Radon Program
Telephone: 785-296-1560
E-mail: Kdhe.radon@ks.gov
and

Brian Hanson
Engineering Extension
Unger Complex
2323 Anderson Avenue, Suite 300
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
800-693-5343
fax: 785-532-6952
bhanson@ksu.edu