NEW ULM — Free short-term radon test kids are available while supplies last beginning Monday, Jan. 5 at the Brown County Public Health Office, 1117 Center and at Sleepy Eye, Springfield and Comfrey City Hall.

More than 70% of Brown County homes tested have elevated radon levels, according to Brown County Public Health. About two in five Minnesota homes have dangerous radon gas levels, which is more than three times higher than the national average.

“We give away 200 radon test kits every January. We only do this once a year,” said Brown County Public Health Director Jaime Brand. “People are testing which is a good thing. Radon can be scary because its colorless and odorless. You don’t really know if its in your home until you test.”

She said short-term test kits distributed by public health in January, are best used during the heating season, from December through March.

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

Radon comes through the soil around homes and seeps through sealed cracks in basement floors and walls.

If radon is detected in homes, a licensed professional can install a system to reduce radon concentration. Minnesota homes should be tested for radon at least every five years.

A short-term test measures radon for two to seven days and is a good way to screen a home for radon. A long-term test measures radon for at least 90 days and is the best way to estimate annual average radon in a home. Long-term tests should include heating and non-heating seasons, according to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).

Radon tests should be done before and after making home changes including finishing a basement, adding an addition, replacing windows and adding insulation or installing a kitchen vent hood.

Two radon tests should be completed before installing a radon mitigation system, except when a professional uses a continuous radon monitor as part of a real estate transaction.

A follow-up test will determine if you need to mitigate. Use the average of two short-term test results or the result of one long-term test.

Radon is produced from the natural decay of uranium and radium, found in rocks and soil. Uranium breaks down to radium which eventually decays into radon gas which is in the soil and common in Minnesota.

Radon moves up from the soil, into a home and can accumulate in the air and become a health concern. Radon pathways may include cracks in the concrete slab, floor-wall joints, an open sump it, or a crawl space. Air pressure differences between a home’s interior and the soil can pull radon gas into the home.

Any radon level poses some health risk, according to the MDH. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set the action level at 4 pCi/L (picocuries of radon per liter of air). The MDH recommends installing a radon mitigation sytem when the radon level is at 4 pCi/L or higher.

For more information including ordering a test kit, visit www.mn.radon.com and www.health.state.mn.us.radon.