Otter Tail County Public Health Urging Homeowners to Test for Radon

(Minnesota Department of Health)

Otter Tail County, MN – Otter Tail County Public Health urges residents to test their homes for radon to ensure their families’ safety. Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United States and the primary cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Each year, more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. are attributed to radon exposure. Alarmingly, about 2 in 5 homes in Minnesota have elevated radon levels.

Testing for radon is simple, inexpensive, and can be done in just a few minutes. Winter is the ideal time for testing, as doors and windows are typically closed, creating the most accurate conditions.

Radon test kits are available at the Otter Tail County Public Health offices in Fergus Falls and New York Mills during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and the city offices in Battle Lake, Parkers Prairie, and Pelican Rapids. Residents are encouraged to call ahead for availability.

Homeowners can order test kits directly from the Minnesota Department of Health. These kits come with easy-to-follow instructions. Once the test is completed, it is mailed to Air Check, a certified radon testing company, in a postage-paid envelope. Results are sent to the homeowner via email at no additional cost.

Radon levels are measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). If your home’s radon level is 4 pCi/L or higher, the Minnesota Department of Health recommends verification testing and considering installing a radon mitigation system. Click here for a list of certified radon mitigation professionals or here for more information on radon testing and mitigation.

Story courtesy of Otter Tail County Public Health