Date Published: 01/18/2020 [Source]
Dakota County residents are encouraged to test their homes for radon during National Radon Action Month in January.
Radon is a radioactive gas that occurs naturally in Minnesota soils. It has no color, taste or smell. It can enter homes through cracks or openings in walls or foundations. It's the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United States; more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon each year.
About 2 in 5 Dakota County homes have dangerous levels of radon gas. Fortunately, the risk from radon is largely preventable.
Testing is easy, inexpensive and only takes three to seven days. Test results will be mailed to you and further recommendations will be sent if your test indicates very high levels of radon. Phone consultations with Dakota County Public Health staff are also available. While it is best to test during colder months, radon testing can be done year-round. Dakota County offers one free radon test kit per resident at participating locations.