Every 25 minutes, a person in the U.S. dies from radon-related lung cancer. It is the largest environmental cancer risk and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. But the risk is largely preventable.
More than 40 percent of Minnesota homes have dangerous levels of radon gas, and state health officials say every home should be tested. Gov. Mark Dayton has declared January "Radon Action Month" in Minnesota. Public health agencies and the Minnesota Department of Health are giving 8,000 radon test kits to residents at low or no cost. Find info on the MDH website.
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 reduction systems can be installed in homes.
Radon is odorless, colorless and tasteless, so the only way for homeowners to know if their home has radon is to test. Most test kits are priced under $20 and available at city and county health departments, many hardware stores, or directly from radon testing laboratories. Discounted test kits can also be purchased online at www.radon.com.
