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WALKER -Cass County Health, Human & Veterans Services offers limited free radon test kits to area homeowners.

Testing is the only way to know if your home contains dangerous levels of cancer-causing gas.

Cass County Health, Human & Veterans Services will offer free radon test kits to homeowners in Cass County during January, which is Radon Action Month.

The Minnesota Department of Health recommends that all homes in Minnesota be tested for radon. It's the only way to know if your home has an elevated level of radon, which can cause lung cancer. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that occurs naturally in Minnesota soils and can enter home primarily through cracks and openings in basement or foundation floors or walls.[[In-content Ad]]

To obtain a test kit, contact Renee Lukkason, PHN with Cass County Health, Human & Veterans Services at 218-547-1340 ext 209.

MDH estimates that one in three existing Minnesota homes have radon levels that pose a large health risk over many years of exposure. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and more than 21,000 deaths are attributed to radon each year.

Radon exposure, however, is largely preventable. First, test your home to see if you have radon. Testing is easy, inexpensive and only takes 3-5 days. If the level of radon in your home is above safe levels, you can make modifications to your home to reduce or eliminate radon from your indoor air. In homes with levels over 4 PiC/L, homeowners should consider verification testing and possible mitigation.

For more information on testing, mitigation and the new radon-resistant new construction measures, visit www.health.state.mn.us/radon or call the Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit at 651-201-4601 or 800-798-9050. Anyone interested in mitigating his or her home for radon should consult MDH's list of certified radon mitigation contractors at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/mitigation.html.

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