News Flash

Are you aware of the health risks associated with elevated Radon levels in your home? Minnesota has high radon levels; amplified by geology and climate. Radon is the leading cause for lung cancer in non-smokers. Consider testing & protecting your home!

According the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) 80% of counties in Minnesota are considered high Radon zones. This includes much of the Twin Cities area and all of Dakota County. Radon is a colorless, odorless gas emitted from ground soil, which enters our homes through the foundations. Additionally, local geologic and climate conditions amplify already increased exposure risk.

Radon exists everywhere, but indoor environments can cause concentrated levels of Radon. Exposure to elevated levels of Radon especially over long periods of time has been found to increase risk of lung cancer. Radon is the leading cause for lung cancer in non-smokers and second highest cause for lung cancer in smokers according to the MDH. Elevated levels of Radon can affect old and new homes alike regardless of construction type. Luckily, exposure to elevated levels of Radon can be prevented through proper mitigation techniques, thus risk to adverse health effects can be greatly reduced.

If you are concerned about the potential for elevated radon levels in your home, you may want to consider testing and protecting your home. There is no safe level of Radon, but the MDH recommends preventative action when concentrated levels higher than 4 pCi/L are found in indoor environments. Although it is not possible to completely eliminate Radon, efforts should be taken to reduce Radon levels as much as possible. Tests and mitigation measures can be done by qualified professionals or done by homeowners themselves.

Minnesota Law requires, however, that homeowners disclose information regarding knowledge of and any testing for Radon done in the home when selling a property. For more information please follow the link below.