Public Health offering free radon kits this month
McLeod County Public Health is offering free radon test kits on a first-come, first- serve basis to residents in the McLeod County area during “Radon Action Month,” which is January.
Residents can obtain a free test kit at the McLeod County Public Health office at 1805 Ford Ave. in Glencoe, or at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility at 1065 Fifth Ave. SE in Hutchinson.
Radon is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. More than 21,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon each year in the U.S.
Fortunately, the risk is largely preventable, by testing homes and fixing radon problems. About two in five Minnesota homes have dangerous levels of radon gas and state health officials say every home should be tested.
Radon is an odorless, colorless and tasteless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in Minnesota soils. It can enter into all kinds of homes through cracks or openings in walls or foundations. The only way for residents to know if their home has radon is to test.
Testing is easy, inexpensive and only takes three to five days. The best time to test is during the heating season, but testing can be done year-round. Test kits are available at county health departments, many hardware stores, or directly from radon testing laboratories.
For more, see the Jan. 13 print edition of The Chronicle.