The testing will determine if the dangerous chemicals in the ground are also in the air that the people living close to the contamination site breathe.
Over the last several months the state has connected 209 homes that were using the contaminated well water to the City of Haysville’s safe water.
The state says that was the first priority.
The announcement of air testing comes as a shock to already worried residents.
Since learning of the contamination, Kristy Fricker created this website as a way to compile health history for everyone who’s ever lived in or near the contaminated area.
Alice Kissack lives in one of homes in the contaminated area.
Kissack’s husband died of pancreatic cancer in 2017.
She says he used the contaminated well water for 16 years.
The residents think the connection between the bad water and cancer is obvious, and they want the state to look into it.
No one with the KDHE was available to answer their health concerns at Monday’s meeting, but Jurgen said the KDHE is investigating that aspect.