Stearns County offering free Radon Test Kits to residents

Two in five Minnesota homes have dangerous radon levels

Stearns County Environmental Services has free radon testing kits to give away to homeowners. There are 200 test kits available. They will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis.

Test kits can be picked up at the Environmental Services Office on the 2nd floor of the Stearns County Service Center in Waite Park during normal office hours, or by going through the drive-thru at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 3601 5th Street South in Waite Park, which is open from 8 a.m.-4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday and the 2nd and 3rd Saturday of the month from
8 a.m.-noon.

Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that seeps up from the ground into homes. When inhaled, it gives off radioactive particles that can damage the lungs. More than 21,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon each year, and it is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Fortunately, the risk is largely preventable.

More than 40% of Minnesota homes have dangerous levels of radon gas; therefore, every home should be tested. The only way to know if a home has radon is to test, and testing is easy. If a high radon level is detected, steps can be taken to fix the problem.

January is National Radon Action Month. The aim of National Radon Action Month is to increase the public’s awareness of radon and promote radon testing and mitigation.

To inquire if Stearns County still has test kits available, contact Environmental Services at (320) 656-3613.