Radon and Your Home

Pictured is Jessica Anderson from the Douglas County Public Health agency (725 Elm St). Jessica was at today's Alexandria Rotary meeting to talk about radon.

Radon is the main source of ionizing radiation that most of us are exposed to. Ionizing radiation can harm the cells that make up our body's tissues and organs. The type of radiation that radon produces is mainly an internal hazard - it produces damage when it is gets into the body. The result of such damage is that radon causes cancer in humans.

Much of the soil in the Upper Midwest contains widespread uranium and radium. These minerals continuously break down to release radon gas. Therefore, Minnesota's geology provides an ongoing supply of radon. Radon, because it is a gas, is able to move though spaces in the soil or fill material around a home's foundation.

Radon is colorless, odorless and tasteless. Therefore, a radon test is the only way to find out how much radon is in your home. Fortunately, it is a low cost test. A test kit may be purchased from Douglas County Public Health for $5 (your home should be tested approximately every 10 years). If high radon levels are discovered, eliminating the problem will likely cost around $2,000.