The Kansas Radon Program (KRP), housed at Kansas State University in the College of Engineering’s Extension Programs Department, provides statewide technical assistance, public education, and professional education related to radon and its health effects on Kansas residents.  

January 2012 is both Kansas Radon Action Month (KRAM) (sponsored by the KRP and KDHE) and National Radon Action Month (NRAM) (sponsored nationally by the EPA).  The KRP will be airing both television and radio public service messages localized with the state radon hotline and website.  The PSA’s are scheduled to air January 15 through March 15, 2012 in association with the Kansas Association of Broadcasters(KAB).  Winter is an excellent time for Kansas residents to test their homes for radon.

The KRP encourages all Extension agents and private media outlets to include a newspaper column, radio show, newsletter article, or other awareness efforts about radon in their January activities.  If you would like to have us on a radio call in show or other program please contact Brian Hanson.

Kansas Radon Action Month Governor's Proclamation

General information:

The KRP currently provides informational services to Kansas residents on radon via distance delivery at www.kansasradonprogram.org and directly through the state radon hotline at 1-800-693-5343.  The hotline is answered live Monday through Friday during business hours.  Our website has multiple fact sheets available for download (http://www.kansasradonprogram.org/factsheets) that cover a variety of topics from general information to do-it-yourself radon mitigation.

Radon test kits:

The KRP has low-cost radon test kits available at many county extension offices to purchase.  The cost for kits to the public is between $5 and $7. Contact your county extension office concerning availability.

Kansas radon legislation:

Kansas currently has two statutes related to radon in effect statewide.  Information on these is available at http://www.kdheks.gov/radiation/radon.htm The first statute is K.S.A. 58-307a.  Effective July 1, 2009, this statute required the insertion of a specific paragraph related to radon into all state-wide residential real estate contracts.  The paragraph strongly suggests that home buyers have homes they are considering purchasing tested for radon gas as part of their home inspection process.

The second statute is K.S.A. 2010 Supp. 48-16a01.  Effective July 1, 2011, this statute requires all individuals or companies in Kansas that provide professional radon services (radon measurement services, radon mitigation services, or radon laboratory services) be certified by KDHE.  This statute left intact a home owner’s right to test their own property, and if they choose to perform their own do-it-yourself radon mitigation on their own property.  This statute also included specific data reporting requirements that has significantly altered how statewide residential radon measurement and mitigation data is collected.  Homeowners however are excluded from the data reporting requirements on tests they perform on their own property.

In addition to the above state statutes, three communities in Kansas have by code adoption required all new single- and two-family homes built in those communities be built with a passive radon reduction system installed.  These communities include Manhattan, Topeka and Lawrence.  The KRP is available to provide local code officials, planning boards and elected commissions/councils with presentations on radon resistant new construction (RRNC) code options.