However, it is recommended that additional testing be done following a remodeling project such as the recent one at Cedar Crest. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas which seeps up from the earth's crust into the atmosphere. The gas becomes a health hazard when it becomes concentrated inside an occupied building such as a home, school, or business. It is estimated that indoor radon may contribute to as many as 120 lung cancer deaths per year in Kansas. In addition, exposure to radon compounds the risk of lung cancer associated with smoking.
Radon is odorless, tasteless, and invisible.
The only way to know a home's radon level is to test. The kits collect radon gas from within a building and are sent to a lab for analysis. The results are then reported to the purchaser. A variety of kits are available through county extension offices and specialty suppliers. Testing companies may use electronic instruments to determine radon levels in buildings.