Radon

What is Radon?
Radon is a cancer-causing, radioactive gas found in soils and rocks in various concentrations throughout Minnesota. It is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas, which exposure over time can lead to the development of cancer.
The U.S. Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S. today. If you smoke and are also exposed to high levels of radon, your risk of developing lung cancer is especially high. The National Academy of Sciences has recently updated its estimates and states that radon causes between 15,000 to 22,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the U.S. with 12% of all lung cancer deaths being linked to radon.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that one out of sixteen homes in the U.S. has radon levels above the recommended level of 4.0 pCi/L. Homes located in the northern great plains have been found to have much higher radon levels. One reason for high radon in this particular area is because of the presence of widespread low-grade uranium and radium in the soils and rocks. About one out of three homes in Minnesota have radon levels above 4 pCi/L. For more information please visit these sites.

www.epa.gov/iaq/states/minnesota.html www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/.../radon/mitigation.html

It’s a great idea to have your home tested as part of the buyer’s inspection