Source: Bruce Snead, 785-532-4992, bsnead@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Mary Rankin, 785-532-6715, mrankin@k-state.edu

Monday, Sept. 21, 2009

NATIONAL RADON PROGRAM SERVICES MOVING TO K-STATE

MANHATTAN -- Engineering Extension Services in the College of Engineering at Kansas State University, as a partner in the Midwest Universities Radon Consortium, will assume administration of national radon services and projects, formerly provided by the National Safety Council for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, effective Sept. 26.

In 1989, K-State partnered with the University of Minnesota, forming the Midwest Universities Radon Consortium that has since served as an EPA regional radon training center for Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. In the same year, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment contracted with K-State to form the Kansas Radon Program to provide public radon-related services for the state. Since that time, the program has provided design and delivery of educational programs and hands-on radon reduction and measurement training, as well a serving as an information source for radon issues in homes and public buildings.

"This is an exciting expansion of our national role and radon activities," said Bruce Snead, radon programs administrator at K-State. "We look forward to providing services that will heighten public awareness about the need for testing and mitigation of radon found in both public and privately owned structures."

Snead said the program's new responsibilities will include conducting the national radon poster contest and staffing national radon hotlines, as well as handling referrals to state radon programs, radon test kit coupons, radon mitigation promotions and other outreach activities.

"We will partner with the National Safety Council during the 2010 national radon poster contest to accomplish a smooth transition in activities and events," he said, "and we'll also work with the safety council and EPA on all other aspects of the transition."

The Kansas Radon Program will launch a new Web site in late September at http://www.sosradon.org to reflect the consolidation and changes taking place in the coming months.