Radon
Radon is a colorless and odorless gas found in the soil and common throughout Minnesota. Because soil is porous, radon moves up from the soil and into the home. The gas can accumulate in the air we breathe becoming a health concern. Exposure to radon over a long period of time can lead to lung cancer.
Any radon level poses some health risk and it is not possible to reduce radon to zero. The best approach is to lower the radon level as much as possible. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set the action level at 4 pCi/L (picocuries of radon per liter of air). At 4 pCi/L or higher it is recommended to install a radon mitigation system to reduce the radon levels.
In Minnesota, more than two in five homes have radon levels that pose a significant health risk.
What can I do? (Free test kit)
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and Otter Tail County Public Health recommend all Minnesotans test their home for radon. A radon test is the only way to find out how much radon is in your home. You can test your home yourself. Start with a short-term test.
Otter Tail County Public Health offers free radon test kits for pick up at both the Fergus Falls and New York Mills office locations. It is recommended to call ahead and check for availability. You can also order a short-term radon test kit at mn.radon.
Know your results
Refer to the MDH Radon Guide for test result guidance and next step recommendations.
See a list of licensed radon professionals on the MDH website.
Pick up locations
Public Health – Government Services Center
560 W Fir Ave
Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Public Health – New York Mills Office
118 N Main
New York Mills, MN 56567
Pelican Rapids City Hall
315 N Broadway
Pelican Rapids, MN 56572
Parkers Prairie City Hall
102 N Otter Ave
Parkers Prairie, MN 56361
Battle Lake City Office
108 Main St E
Battle Lake, MN 56515
Additional resources
Radon outreach toolkit – Use these social media and print resources to raise awareness about radon testing and mitigation.