The Polk County Public Health Department has issued a message this week about Radon Levels in Polk County being higher than the state average. Minnesota has unusually high radon levels due to its unique geology and how homes are operated with our cold temperatures, according to Polk County Public Health Director Sarah Reese. “During the chilly winter season, we find ourselves more indoors, and so, as part of how homes are constructed and we want to keep things tight and not drafty, one of the unintended consequences sometimes can be radon that can also be circulating unknowingly in our home,” says Reese. “So radon is tricky because radon levels are found in the ground and in the soil, and if we have radon exposure and we have too much of it, it can make us sick, and specifically, it can cause lung cancer.”
Reese says this is the time of year Polk County likes to draw attention to Radon and the danger it can present. You cannot see, smell, or taste radon, but that does not mean it isn’t present in your home. Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in the United States, resulting in approximately 21,000 deaths annually.
So, how do you know if you have elevated radon levels, and what can you do about it? “The only way to know if you have a high radon level in your home is to test,” says Reese. “It is pretty easy to test for radon, and so this is a good time of year when we are using our heating systems and spending more time indoors to do that.”
The Polk County Health Department is strongly encouraging all residents to test their homes every 2-5 years, especially during the winter months when radon levels are high. “Radon test kits are available at our Polk County Health offices. We have three offices, one in Crookston, one in East Grand Forks, and one in McIntosh,” says Reese. “So, folks can stop at our offices and pick up a radon test kit for free. There will be all of the instructions in the kit of what to do in your home, where to place it, for how long, and where to send it once you are done completing your test.” All of the information is in the kit, including how to get the results.
“We have seen situations where the test has come back really high, so then we sometimes will recommend folks redo the test to make sure they have peace of mind before they take that next step, “ says Reese. “Typically, what is recommended if there is a high radon level, there are mitigation systems that can be put into a home to reduce radon exposure, and ultimately that is what we would advise.”
Reese says that every house is different. “Contractors are aware of radon and about ways to mitigate radon, but if you find that it is in your home, whether you have an older home, a new home, or somewhere in the middle, there is defiantly a variety of different solutions, you can use.” says Reese. “Every house has a different foundation and has different needs in terms of how it’s heated and so forth, so it’s best to talk with a contractor that has that knowledge and expertise.”
How do you find out more about things that could be putting your health at risk? “As part of our work with Environmental Health through our department, we also offer free Environmental Public Health Assessments,” says Reese. “What that looks like is a Public Health Nurse will come to your home or your apartment or wherever you reside, and we will provide an assessment looking for what we call healthy housing,” Reese explained that the nurse would be looking to make sure the home is dry and pest-free and that there are no asthma-related concerns, lead paint, and things like that. “There is a variety of reasons why we are invited in to do a healthy homes assessment, and we can offer education, we can offer resources, and help troubleshoot what might be going on in the home that is making people not feel well.”
To pick up a Radon test, stop by Polk County Public Health in Crookston at 816 Marin Avenue (connected to the Polk County Justice Center.
