The importance of getting your home tested for radon

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) – It’s colorless, it’s odorless, it’s tasteless and it can cause major problems for your health. We are talking about radon, which is radioactive gas.

Over time, high levels of radon can cause serious health issues, including lung cancer. Just ask Dr. Stephanie Dahl who had her own health scare due to radon when she found out that she had nodules in her lung.

“I was blown away. I was like, I’ve never smoked,” said Dr. Dahl, who is the president of the North Dakota Medical Association. “And he said, has your house been tested for radon? And it had been 10 years earlier. We had put in a radon mitigation system, but I ran in our basement for years on a treadmill. So I had a lot of exposure during that time. So he said, with that radon exposure it’s likely cancer.”

According to the EPA, the gas is naturally released from rocks, soil and water and can enter homes. As around two-thirds of homes in the state have this issue compared to only one in 15 across the U.S. Around 63% of homes in North Dakota have this issue due to the uranium levels in the soil. There are ways to test your home for radon and to mitigate the problem. Radon kits are inexpensive and should be used every two years according to the EPA.

“And levels tend to be much higher in the winter when homes are closed. When you’re heating your home it tends to suck some of that radon into your home from the basement.” said Dr. Dahl.

Because testing for this can mean the difference between living a healthy life or facing health struggles in the future.

“Tell your families, tell your friends. Get radon tested. It really is an important thing to think about.” said Dr. Dahl.

The state is giving away free radon test kits to use in your homes. Supplies are limited.