Governor Dayton has announced January is "Radon Action Month." Its also "National Radon Awareness Month" nationally, but its great the Governor is taking action to notify Minnesotans of this dangerous, toxic gas that can lead to lung cancer. The year also begins with a new law on the horizon. The Minnesota Radon Awareness Act, passed by the 88th Legislature, went into effect on Jan. 1. More on that can be found below.
What is Radon?
When most people think of lung cancer, they think of smoking. But the No. 2 contributor to lung cancer is radon, and its growing fast. More than 21,000 Americans die each year from lung cancer as a result of exposure to radon, a naturally occurring gas that can seep into homes from the soil. The gas is invisible, odorless and colorless. Every home is at risk for radon, regardless of the age of the home or whether it has a basement. Minnesota’s geology unfortunately provides an abundance of radon. An estimated 40% of Minnesota homes have dangerous levels of radon, and 80% of Minnesota counties are rated as high-radon zones.
Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Testing
Like smoking, radon exposure is largely preventable. At-home tests are easy and inexpensive, and if radon is detected there are companies whose sole job is mitigation, which is essentially creating an way to remove the toxic gases from your home via fans and venting. One such company is SWAT Environmental, who serves the entire Twin Cities area. Radon tests can be purchased online for a discount through the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
It is recommended NOT to purchase radon tests via home retailers as its difficult to say how long the kit sits on the shelf - plus the consumer also pays for the lab to process results. A kit from MDH comes DIRECTLY from the lab, meaning its fresh, and no other lab fees are required by the consumer.
What is this new Act that was passed?
The Minnesota Radon Awareness Act targets real estate transactions as an opportunity for educating buyers and sellers about radon in homes. Beginning now, sellers will be required to disclose whether the home has been tested for radon, a report of the most recent results (if applicable), information about mitigation services, and information on the risks of radon.
But there’s no reason to wait — the time to test is now. The winter months, when homes are more air tight, provide the most accurate results.
For more information:
Minnesota Department of Health -http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/indoorair/radon/index.html
SWAT Environmental - http://SWATEnvironmental.com
EPA.Gov -http://www.epa.gov/radon/
American Lung Cancer - http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/radon.html
