Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

Radon is responsible for nearly 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. every year. Radon exposure is a preventable health risk, so to help protect the community, the City’s Health Department is giving away 400 free radon test kits during January. The department encourages community members to take action and test their homes during Radon Action Month.

Every home should be tested

• Two in five Minnesota homes test high for radon.
• The average radon level in Minnesota homes is more than three times higher than the U.S. average.
• Winter is a good time of year to test homes for radon levels since Minnesotans close their homes in the winter for heat.

The free radon test kits, which are available while supplies last, are easy to use. Postage and testing instructions are included. Minneapolis residents who don’t have email or internet access can call 311 to request one. Low-cost test kits can also be purchased through the state.

“Radon can affect any home or building and can be deadly with long-term exposure,” said Alex Vollmer, Minneapolis Health Department’s Lead and Healthy Homes manager. “We care about everyone in our community, that’s why we are passionate about radon education and are encouraging everyone to test their homes for radon.”

Radon facts

• Radon is an invisible, odorless gas that:
  • Comes from the dirt surrounding a home’s foundation.
  • Enters the home through small cracks or holes in the basement floor.
• The only way to know how much radon is in your home is to do a test.
• Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Radon prevention

• Radon-associated lung cancer can be prevented by limiting exposure to radon in indoor air.
• Buy a do-it-yourself test kit at a local hardware store to test radon levels in your home.
• Install a radon mitigation system, if needed. Learn more about mitigation.
• If your radon level is high, call 311 to get connected with the Health Department to explore potential grant funding options.
• The EPA urges testing if a home has not been tested for radon in the past two years or if home modifications have been made.

Resources

• Promotional video:
  • About free radon test kits.
  • Enero is el mes de acción contra el radón. Pruebe su hogar hoy.
• Learn more about radon testing and the City’s services.
• Watch Gregory Wheeler's story to learn how the Health Department helped reduce the radon levels in his home.