Many Kansans are unaware that radon gas may be sneaking into their homes, businesses or schools. January has been named Radon Awareness Month to help educate communities and provide free testing in participating counties. Barton County Health Department will be distributing free radon testing kits on a first come, first served basis beginning on Monday, January 6, during regular business hours.
Community members are urged to start the New Year by testing their homes for radon and taking steps to prevent high levels of this toxic gas from harming family members. Radon is an invisible, odorless, colorless, radioactive gas that is the second leading cause of lung cancer—accounting for approximately 2 to 12% of cases. The leading cause of lung cancer in the United States is smoking—accounting for 80 to 90% of cases according to the American Lung Association. Lung cancer is the leading cancer killer for both men and women in our country.
Radon gas occurs from the natural breakdown of Uranium, travels through the soil and enters homes, schools and other buildings. Although elevated levels are found in every state, it is important to know that Barton County is one of the counties in Kansas with a high potential for radon exposure at unsafe levels.
Radon levels are not predictable according to the type of foundation, heating or water systems, structure age, insulation factors or style of building. The only way to know your home’s level is to test.
Short term tests are relatively easy to use and homeowners just need to follow the written instructions included with the test. In general, EPA recommends that testing device(s) be placed in the lowest level of the home that could be used regularly, whether it is finished or unfinished, in any space that could be used such as a bedroom, play area, family room, den, exercise room, or workshop on that level.  
For more information on radon or the test kits, please contact the Barton County Health Department at 620-793-1902 or health@bartoncounty.org.