Gov. Mark Dayton has issued a proclamation declaring January 2012 Radon Action Month in Minnesota to promote awareness of this important health issue. Freeborn County Public Health will offer free radon test kits to homeowners in Freeborn County in order to encourage homeowners to test.

The Minnesota Department of Health recommends that all homes in Minnesota be tested for radon. It’s the only way to know if your home has an elevated level of radon, which can cause lung cancer. Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless gas that occurs naturally in Minnesota soils and can enter homes primarily through cracks and openings in basement or foundation floors and walls.

To obtain a free test kit, come into Freeborn County Public Health. It is located in the Government Center at 411 South Broadway in Albert Lea.

MDH estimates that one in three existing Minnesota homes have radon levels that pose a large health risk over many years of exposure. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States and more than 21,000 deaths are attributed to radon each year.

Radon tests that have been performed in Freeborn County average 7.36 pCi/L, making it one of the highest average counties in the state of Minnesota. About 2 out of 3 tests in the county have tested over 4.0 pCi/L, the recommended max.

Radon exposure, however, is largely preventable. First, test your home to see if you have elevated radon levels. Testing is easy, inexpensive and only takes 3-5 days. In homes with levels over 4.0 pCi/L, homeowners should consider verification testing and possibly installing a mitigation system, which will remove radon from your home. The final step is to encourage friends, family, and co-workers to test their own homes for radon.

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.