The
number of Minnesota families taking action to reduce levels of
cancer-causing radon gas in their homes has more than doubled in the two
years since a new state law took effect in 2014. Health officials say
the increase means fewer families will experience lung cancer and other
negative health impacts of radon exposure in the years ahead.
The
law that took effect Jan. 1, 2014, requires that more detailed
information be provided to buyers about radon during Minnesota home
sales. According to data collected by the Minnesota Department of Health
(MDH), most of the additional radon mitigation work in homes since
enactment of the law occurred as part of real estate transactions. There
were 3,392 homes mitigated for radon during the first nine months of
2015. For the same period in 2014, 2,389 homes were mitigated. In
comparison, 1,491 homes had radon mitigation work in 2013 and 1,067
homes had the mitigation work in 2012.
Radon
is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in
Minnesota soils. It can enter into homes through cracks or openings in
walls or foundations. The only way for residents to know if their home
has high levels of radon is to test.
Radon
is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United
States and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. More than
21,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon each year in the U.S.
Fortunately, the risk can be greatly reduced by testing homes and
fixing radon problems. Health officials say about two in five Minnesota
homes have dangerous levels of radon gas, and every home should be
tested.
The 2014 Minnesota Radon
Awareness Act requires sellers to inform home buyers whether their home
has been tested for radon and, if so, what the levels are and whether
the home has been mitigated for radon. In addition, sellers must provide
a warning statement and a two-page publication to the buyer. Radon
tests can be incorporated into a home inspection. The law does not
require radon testing or mitigation; only disclosure of whether testing
or mitigation of the home has been done.
“This
law improves the health and safety of Minnesotans by informing home
buyers about the harmful effects of radon at the point of sale,” said
Dan Tranter, MDH indoor air program supervisor. “This allows potential
buyers to be educated on radon and to request a radon test for a
property similar to the way home inspections are arranged.”
January
is National Radon Action Month and Gov. Mark Dayton has proclaimed
Radon Action Month in Minnesota. During January, MDH is sponsoring radio
and internet ads across Minnesota to encourage people to test their
homes. In addition, MDH has partnered with local public health
departments to make test kits available to local residents at low or no
cost.
Testing is easy, inexpensive and
only takes three to five days. Test kits are available at city and
county health departments, many hardware stores, or directly from radon
testing laboratories. A list of participating health agencies and test
kit vendors can be found on the MDH website at Radon in Minnesota Homes.
Tests
should be done in the lowest level of the home that is frequently
occupied. If your home’s level is at or above 4 piC/L (picoCuries per
Liter) you should consider verification testing and having a radon
mitigation system installed. You can find MDH’s list of certified radon
mitigation contractors at Radon Contractors/Mit
For more information on radon testing and mitigation, visit Radon in Minnesota Homes
or call the Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit at
651-201-4601 or 1-800-798-9050. To see how radon has affected the lives
of cancer patients and their families visit CanSAR - Cancer Survivors Against Radon.
