Radon is a problem in Kentucky, thanks to the state’s karst geologic system. According to the CDC, the odorless gas is responsible for 21-thousand lung cancer deaths a year in America. Skip Castleman is the Health and Emergency Preparedness Coordinator for the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department. He said Kentuckians should consider testing their home.
“We recommend that you do the long-term testing before you do your short-term testing. Just for the very fact that we have a karst environment and the radon levels can vary drastically in a couple of days depending on the weather conditions, and temperature.”
Lexington residents can pick up a free short-term testing kit at the health department. Castleman said some people should consider long-term testing.
“Long term tests, they run up to one year. And that will take that whole year into account. So it's going to be much more accurate. And you can base your whether you choose to do mitigation on that.”
Castleman said most Kentucky homes have a passive radon removal system, which consists of a PVC pipe beneath the slab that exits through the roof. Active systems use a fan. I’m John McGary.
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