National Radon Action Month

(North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality image)

(KNOX) – During National Radon Action Month, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality reminds residents that cold weather months are a great time to test their homes for radon, a leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

Radon-related illness claims more than 21,000 lives in the United States annually. In North Dakota, 63 percent of homes have an elevated radon level above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Action Level of 4.0 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The EPA lists North Dakota as Zone 1, meaning it has the highest potential for elevated radon levels. Because of this, the EPA and Environmental Quality encourage North Dakotans to test their homes for radon and address any elevated levels.

“Radon is a cancer-causing, naturally occurring radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste, found throughout the soil in North Dakota,” said Justin Otto, Radon Program Coordinator for Environmental Quality. “Although radon harmlessly disperses in outdoor air at low levels, when trapped in buildings, it can be harmful, especially at high concentrations.”

“Radon test kits are simple to use and come with easy-to-understand directions,” says Otto. Environmental Quality is giving away a limited number of free radon test kits to ND residents. If you would like to receive a free radon test kit in the mail, please visit deq.nd.gov/wm/radon and click on the button titled ‘Click here for a free radon test kit.’ After completing the required information, select ‘Request radon test kit.’ Kits will be mailed while supplies last. Test kits can also be purchased at most hardware stores, building supply stores, and online.