BROWN COUNTY — Short-term radon test kits are available on a first-come, first-serve basis in Brown County beginning Monday, Jan. 6.

Kits can be picked up at the Brown County Public Health office, 1117 Center St. in New Ulm, the Sleepy Eye City Office, 200 Main Street East and the Springfield City Office, 2 E. Central St.

Radon is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United Staes and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. More than 21,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon each year in the U.S.

Fortunately, the risk is largely preventable with testing and repairing radon problems. About two in five Minnesota homes have dangerous radon gas levels. State health officials said every home should be tested and re-tested every 2 to 5 years.

Brown County is considered a county with a high concentration of radon in the soil. More than 75% of homes tested have a radon level greater than 4 pCi/L, which is considered a risk.

Testing should be done in the lowest level of the home that is frequently occupied. If your home’s level is at or above 4 pCi/L, you should consider verification testing and having a radon mitigation system installed.

For more information, visit www.health.state.mn/us/radon or call Brown County Public Health at 507-233-6820 or the Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit at 651-201-4601. An interactive map tool is available at apps.health.state.mn.us/mndata/radon. To see how radon has affected the lives of cancer patients and their families, visit www.CanSar.org