Free Radon Test Kits Still Available in Stearns County

(KNSI) – Radon awareness month may have passed, but Stearns County residents can still get a free test kit to check their homes for the deadly, odorless, colorless, and tasteless gas.

Around 100 kits are still available at the Household Hazardous Waste Facility drive-thru, located at 3601 5th Street South in Waite Park. The facility is open Monday through Saturday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

The kits are handed out on a first-come, first-served basis, with one kit per household.

According to Stearns County Environmental Services, nearly half of homes in the state have dangerous radon levels. Radon occurs naturally in the soil from the breakdown of organic matter. The gas can seep into homes through cracks in walls and foundations. Once inhaled, radon releases radioactive particles that can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer. The gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, contributing to more than 21,000 deaths each year.

Health officials emphasize that testing is the only way to determine if a home has elevated radon levels. If high concentrations are detected, mitigation measures can be taken to reduce exposure and protect residents.

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