8A
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2008
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2008
》 HEALTH
Experts warn of dangerous radon gases
BY MARY SORRICK
msorrick@kansan.com
Radon gas exposure is a problem many Lawrence residents might not realize they have.
The gas, which seeps through cracks or openings in a home's basement in an average of one in four Lawrence homes, is the second leading cause of lung cancer, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
The EPA estimates show that
northern and western Kansas, in cluding Douglas County, have a higher potential for radon exposure than most parts of the country. Radon, which is odorless, colorless and tasteless, has been found at high concentrations in
many areas of northern and central Douglas County, including homes in Lawrence's 66044, 66046 and 66049 zip codes.
"Radon is like a spark. It zaps the tissue in the lungs, which causes mutations and can lead to cancer."
many Lawrence homes could be at risk of having dangerously high levels of radon gas, which could lead to lung cancer. The EPA suggests checking the radon levels in homes and taking measures to reduce it.
dents who change residence were that." Though Lawrence residents can do something about it."
will take measures to protect their homes. To get a 5x25 radon test for you.
Despite this fact, Joe McKinney, owner of Safeguard Radon, a local business that deals with radon testing, said the number of people in Lawrence who actually test for radon was relatively low.
Research and Extension Office is offering a radon test kit for $5 to the public.
CINDY EVANS
Agent for Research and Extension Office
"People just don't know about it," McKinney said. "It's like a well-kept secret."
Cindy Evans, a family and consumer sciences agent with the Research and Extension Office, said the test was one of the simplest ways to detect radon in the home. Test results will tell whether a home is at or above the EPAs recommended
Trudy Rice, director of the Research and Extension's Douglas County Office, said demand for the radon tests in Lawrence had greatly increased in the past week.
To spread awareness of radon's potential danger, the EPA has deemed January "National Radon Action Month." As part of the campaign, the Douglas County K-State
reduction level for radon. The EPA recommends taking action if a building's radon level is more than four pico curies per liter.
"Radon is like a spark," Evans said. "It zaps the tissue in the lungs, which
Bryan Marvin/KANSAN
causes mutations and can lead to cancer"
A 15-year exposure to radon doubles a person's risk of developing lung cancer. Evans said.
Radon gas drifts into a building as a natural byproduct of uranium depletion in rocks and soil. Because of Lawrence's rocky soil composition, more uranium is available to produce the radon that invades ventilation systems in a home, McKinney said.
But long-term home owners are not the only people affected by radon.
Brian Hanson, coordinator of the Kansas Radon Program, said stu-
"Lung cancer is one of the very few types of cancer that can be attributed to behavior," Hanson said. "If you test and find radon in your residence, there are options to fix
One of McKinney's strategies against radon leaks is to install a vacuum pump to evacuate the air beneath the building's foundation and reduce the radon gas coming out of the ground.
"Radon will always be with us," Evans said. "It's best to have the information to be able to take steps
Though Lawrence residents can take measures to protect their homes against radon leaks, Evans said the radon itself cannot be regulated.
To get a $5 radon test for your home, contact the Douglas County K-State Research and Extension Office at (785) 843-7058.
Edited by Mandy Earles
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Game attendance increases after break
BY LUKE MORRIS
Imorris@kansan.com
According to associate athletics director Jim Marchiony, student support was in full force Jan. 14 for
Student attendance at Kansas men's basketball games has picked up for the start of conference season after being below average so far this season.
the Jayhawks' Big 12 season-opener against Oklahoma. This level of support continued Wednesday when Kansas played Iowa State.
Last semester a lack of student attendance
The empty corner Self referred to was the southwest corner of the fieldhouse, which houses part of the student section. But Self wasn't the only one upset about the empty
adjust to fewer student spectators. Self replied, "We haven't had students coming to the game all year. We haven't had as many students coming to the games. That's evident by looking up in the corner."
"We haven't had students coming to the game all year. We haven't had as many students coming to the games."
left large parts of Allen Fieldhouse empty during non-conference home games. The lack of students annoyed coach Bill Self. He expressed his disdain in press conferences and on radio shows.
BILL SELF Men's Basketball Coach
When asked how the team would
seats. Students at the games could be heard saying that they were embarrassed that more students didn't show up.
of the lack of attendance during Kansas' nationally televised game against Arizona on Nov. 25.
Bethany Harvester, Newton junior, said that she was most ashamed
go," she said.
"We were on ESPN facing one of the top schools in the country and nobody showed up. I don't understand at all why people didn't
Harvester also said that she didn't understand why students would skip games played by an undefeated, top-three — now top-two — team in the country.
Lenexa sophomore Rachel Piezuch said that many students were wrapped up in Kansas football or their own class work at the time, and depended on others to
replace them in the bleachers.
"I think they many have thought, 'Others will come in my place; I'll go to the next game instead," she said.
During winter break, the student section
al trend in college basketball. However it's hard to find statistics because most universities, including Kansas, Duke and Gonzaga, only keep track of the number of tickets sold. Self and Marchiony also agreed that although student attendance fell, student support for the team hasn't fallen.
"I think the student support at Kansas is as good as it is anywhere
"Get your butts to the fieldhouse"
was even smaller because students had returned home. Non-students, including senior citizens, filled in where the students usually sat.
Both Self and Marchiony have said that they believed falling student attendance was a nation-
BETHANY HARVESTER Newton Junior
in the country," Marchiony said. "Every school would like to have the support that we have at KU."
However, no matter how much support, Harvester has a simple message for prodigal
Jayhawks fans.
—Edited by Nick Mangiaracina
"Get your butts to the field-house."