Recognizing the fundamental role of early childhood education in creating the bright minds of tomorrow, Gov. Paul Patton established this year the Office of Early Childhood Development and selected UK professor and former ECL director Kim Townley as its director. Radon is a naturally occurring odorless, colorless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium and radium, both of which are commonly found in soil and rock. Radon gas decays into radioactive particles that can be inhaled and trapped in the lungs. Under certain conditions, these radioactive particles may cause lung cancer. Not everyone exposed to elevated radon concentrations will develop lung cancer, and there is still uncertainty about the magnitude of the health risks associated with radon exposure.
Significant risk is associated with high exposure levels over a long period of time.
Radon usually enters a building through hollow block walls, cracks in foundation floors and walls, and openings around pipes, sumps or drains. Radon movement into a building is dependent upon several factors, including air pressure, wind, soil conditions and ventilation inside a building. Because of these and other factors, the radon concentration in a building may fluctuate over time. Testing of University of Kentucky buildings for radon began in 1988. Over 250 UK buildings have been tested, and locations with elevated radon concentrations were prioritized for further investigation or mitigation.