Radon Fact Sheet

• Radon is a colorless odorless gas resulting from the natural decay of uranium and is naturally occurring in MN soils
• Radon gas enters homes from the soil into your basement and home.
• The home often creates a vacuum effect (from running heating systems, etc…) and can pull radon into the home from the soil.
• Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States.
• 15,000 lung cancer deaths per year. (Approximately 60 Americans die every day from cancer resulting from exposure to Radon).

• Short-term Radon test kits (Air Check) are available from CPHS for $5.
• Long-term Radon test kits (AccuStar) are available from CPHS for $15.00.
• The Air Check (short-term) test kit needs to be set out for 3 to 7 days.
• The AccuStar (long-term) test kit needs to be set out for 3-12 months.
• Do not start the test (short-term) during a severe storm or unusually high winds.
• Doors and windows need to be closed 12 hours prior to short-term testing and during testing. Regular use of doors is O.K. (long-term tests don’t require “closed house” conditions).
• Do not disturb the test once started.
• Put the test in the lowest lived in area of the home, such as a family room. Do not put it in the closet, bathroom, garage, crawl space, etc.
• Do not set within 3 ft. of exterior doors and windows, or within 12 inches of an exterior wall without windows. Must be at least 20 inches off the floor and 4 inches from other objects.
• After the test has been completed it needs to be mailed back to the lab as soon as possible in the mailer provided.

• Test results are measured in picoCuries per liter (pCi/L).
• 4pCi/L is the EPA action level.
• If the results of the first test are less than 4pCi/L, then retest in 2-3 years.
• If the results of the first test are between 4pCi/L and 10pCi/L, do a long-term test next. If the long-term test is still 4pCi/L or higher, then take steps to mitigate (lower) the home radon level.
• If the results of the first test are over 10pCi/l, do another short-term test. If the repeat test is still over 10pCi/L, then take steps to mitigate (lower) home radon level.
• ANYONE WITH TEST RESULTS OVER 10 PCI/L CAN OBTAIN A FREE REPEAT SHORT-TERM TEST FROM THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (MDH) INDOOR AIR UNIT, AT 1-800-798-9050.
• If the results are over 4pCi/L the homeowners should contact one of Countryside’s Environmental Health staff members for recommendations.

• Countryside Public Health
  201 13th Street South
  Benson, MN 56215, 320-843-4546 or 1-800-657-3291
• MDH Indoor Air Unit, 1-800-798-9050 or http://www.health.state.mn.us