By Stu Johnson
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkms/local-wkms-955330.mp3
Louisville, KY – The geology of the Commonwealth makes it a prime spot for horses, bourbon and radon gas. Radon, which often accumulates in homes, has long been linked to lung cancer. Many homeowners hire firms that check for radon and then install equipment that disperses the gas. But, some of those experts should not be trusted.
Louisville resident Nancy Huhn grew up in a household where cigarette smoke was common and worked for years alongside smokers. Four years ago at age 50 she was diagnosed with lung cancer. But, Huhn says specialists at Vanderbilt found no link between her cancer and second-hand smoke.
"I had never smoked. My husband had never smoked. I had lived around it smoke in my home for a long time and they said you need to have your house tested for radon, we didn't even know who to call," said Huhn.
Huhn says the house where they had lived for eleven years was tested for radon and it registered an average of 12 picocuries .that's three times the maximum exposure recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Currently, there is no state license for the people who installl radon removing equipment in homes, public buildings, or businesses. So, Louisville representative Steve Riggs says there's no way for homeowners to ensure they're properly protected.
"You also have problems in other states like Ohio and Indiana who have kicked out contractors. They require licensing but they've kicked them out for shoddy work and they're down here working now and we have no way to go after them because we don't require licensing," added Riggs.
Legislation sponsored by Riggs sets up a process for licensing radon specialists.
Kyle Hoylman, who's president of the Kentucky Association of Radon Professionals, says improperly installed radon removal systems can actually increase radon problems or even cause carbon monoxide levels to rise. He says conscientious radon mitigators would welcome the new law.
"Those folks who are not doing things correctly maybe even unethical in their approach this sends the message that it's a new day new way in Kentucky as far as radon contractors would be concerned," explained Hoylman.
Kentucky's high levels of radon gas due to heavy limestone deposits. Hoylman says the Commonwealth's radon problem is well beyond what is found in many other states.
"On average seven percent of all buildings in our country contain toxic levels of radon. Here in Kentucky, that number is 42%. So we are six times greater than the national average," said Hoylman.
The new license would be administered by the Cabinet for Health and Family Services. It would levy a $250 fee on the certificate.
Charles Kindall, who's chief of staff in the health commissioners office, testified before the senate committee Wednesday. He worries the program could be costly..
"Part of the problem is how do we get started and as we get started we've got a lot of work to do we've got some regs to promulgate we've got some training classes to get certified and credentialed we've got to reach out to the community," added Kindall.
Home radon test kits can run $15. If a high level is detected, Kyle Hoylman says buying and installing the necessary mitigation systems can cost two thousand dollars.
By requiring the people who conduct those tests and install the equipment to earn a license, the bill's sponsor hopes to offer some comfort to Kentuckians like cancer patient Nancy Huhn.
"I had no idea whether those people were certified qualified or not so having a bill like this is gonna' protect the public," added Huhn.
The legislation sponsored by Riggs passed the house and is on its way to the senate floor. If enacted in its current form, licensing would not occur until 2013.