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Rowan County residents encouraged to test their homes for dangerous radon gas

Stacy Stanifer

An event this weekend in Rowan County aims to bring attention to the dangers of radon in rural homes. The Rowan County Public Library and Farmers Volunteer Fire Department are inviting people to come to the department this Saturday, November 11, from 2 to 6:00 p.m. Firefighters will showcase some of their skills, like hazmat response, gas detection, vehicle extraction, and more. People will also be encouraged to check-out home radon detectors from the library’s bookmobile.

Stacy Stanifer, Assistant Professor in the University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing, said houses built on limestone can have dangerous levels of radon in them.

“We did find recently in our study homes that were built on some of that low uranium-bearing limestone actually had higher indoor radon levels, and so we’re trying to figure out why that might be. That was a surprise to us and also really points out to us that all homes should be tested for radon,” said Stanifer.

Dr. Stanifer is also the project manager for the University of Kentucky’s “Radon on the RADAR” project. She said the Rowan County Public Library will also provide further information for citizens on radon.

“The library has what’s called a ‘radon action plan’ and they can take that home and read through it. So, it’ll provide them with guidance based on what their level is and what the recommended next steps would be.”

60 citizen scientists across Rowan, Logan, Christian, and Pulaski counties are testing radon levels in their homes. One goal of the study is to make radon testing kits more readily available for the public. In Morehead, officials are partnering with the Rowan County Public Library to loan out the radon detectors.