The university’s efforts will focus on testing, consumer education, and increasing the availability of radon test kits. The EPA Region 7 Administrator, Meg McCollister, underscored the significance of the initiative: “Radon can’t be seen or smelled. It is essential that we test our homes for this leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, especially considering that many homes in our region have a high potential for elevated radon levels.”
Radon exposure has been identified as the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., following smoking. This grant will fund Kansas State’s hotline, a website for purchasing radon kits, and assessments of consumer-grade radon monitors. Additionally, the university will work to train and credential radon professionals to improve mitigation services nationwide.
Indoor Air Quality in Focus
Americans spend about 90% of their time indoors, making the quality of indoor air a critical public health issue. The EPA’s initiative, which includes Kansas State University and five other recipients, will address risks tied to radon, asthma, and general air quality to prevent severe health outcomes.
Asthma affects 25 million Americans, with a disproportionately high burden on poor and minority children.
Grants will also prevent asthma attacks by improving interventions in homes and schools.
The cooperative agreement program promotes policy changes to improve indoor air quality in homes, schools, and workplaces, with an emphasis on regions prone to high radon levels. EPA Region 7, which includes Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, and tribal nations, has several areas designated as Zone One or Two Radon Zones, meaning homes and buildings are at high risk for elevated radon levels.
Key Partnerships to Tackle Air Quality
Kansas State University joins a group of prominent organizations receiving $175,000 each under the program's first year. Recipients include:
American Lung Association
Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors
Public Health Institute
National Center for Healthy Housing
Environmental Law Institute
These organizations will work on national and local levels to support environmental asthma interventions, improve air quality practices, and reduce radon exposure in high-risk areas.
Radon Zones: What Homeowners Need to Know
The EPA developed a Radon Zone Map in 1993, identifying areas across the U.S. with the highest risk for elevated radon levels based on geological and soil conditions. Many homes in Region 7 fall into these elevated risk categories, reinforcing the urgency of testing and mitigation efforts.
More information about radon, asthma, and other indoor air risks can be found on the EPA website, where residents can also view radon zone maps and access testing resources.
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