City Of Minneapolis: Minneapolis Giving Away Free Radon Test Kits

Press release from the City of Minneapolis:

January 10, 2022

The City of Minneapolis is giving away 200 radon test kits to increase awareness of the cancer risks of radon and to encourage people to test their homes for it. The test kits are easy to use, and postage and testing instructions are included. The Environmental Protection Agency has designated January as National Radon Action Month.

Free radon test kits will be available by mail while supplies last. Minneapolis residents should complete an online form to request one. Minneapolis residents who don’t have email or internet access can call 311 to request one. Radon test kits will be free in January, and any remaining test kits can be purchased for $5 each the rest of the year.

Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that occurs naturally in Minnesota soil and can enter homes primarily through cracks and openings in basement or foundation floors and walls. During the winter months, radon gases can build up inside of a home because windows and doors are closed. This makes winter a good time of year to test homes for radon gas.

Radon is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. and the leading cause of lung cancer among nonsmokers. More than 21,000 deaths are attributed to radon each year in the U.S. Fortunately, radon exposure is preventable, and radon problems in homes can be fixed. The first step is to test for radon at home, and the Minneapolis Health Department recommends that all homes be tested for radon as levels can vary from house to house.

People interested in mitigating their homes for radon should consult the Minnesota Department of Health’s list of certified radon mitigation contractors, which can be found on its website.

People with health savings accounts (HSAs), flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) may be able to have the cost of a radon mitigation system reimbursed. They should check with their employers to find out more.

For more information on radon testing and mitigation visit www.health.state.mn.us/radon or call the Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit at 651-201-4601 or 1-800-798-9050.

This press release was produced by the City of Minneapolis. The views expressed here are the author’s own.