What is Radon? 
Radon is a colorless, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown (radioactive decay) of radium, which in itself is a decay product of uranium. Uranium and radium are both common elements of the soil.
Health Risk?
Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, resulting in thousands of deaths each year in the United States. It is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. As radon decays and is inhaled into the lungs, its byproducts release energy that can damage sensitive lung tissue and lead to lung cancer.
Where is Radon found?
The major source of high levels of radon in homes is in soil surrounding the house that may contain uranium, granite, shale, phosphate and pitchblende. The radon gas from the soil can enter a home or building through dirt floors, hollow-block walls, cracks in the foundation floor and walls, and openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps. Radon is often more highly concentrated in basements, ground floors and first floors of homes. Radon problems have been identified in every state, and nationwide tests are being conducted to identify the extent and magnitude of the problem. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, as many as one in 15 homes in the US has elevated radon levels.
What can be done?
The solution is simple. Test your home for radon using an inexpensive charcoal canister short term screening kit. If the results are low, relax and enjoy the peace of mind knowing that you have acted responsibly. If test results are above 4.0 pCi/L, a long-term test (still inexpensive) can be run to collect a more representative reading. If the result still exceeds 4.0 pCi/L, refer to the list of Radon Mitigation Contractors published by the EPA. These contractors can install mechanical systems to remove radon from your home. The average cost is around $1500. If you are building a new home, be sure your builder includes radon preventive techniques. The average cost of these preventive techniques is about $250.
Contacts:
For information on radon, contact the Code Enforcement & Public Health Division at (763) 493-8070 or the state health agency.
Minnesota Department of Health
Other radon information:
Environmental Protection Agency
