KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and SportsHigh radon levels prompt testing

High radon levels prompt testing

ROCHESTER, MN (KTTC-TV) -- If you haven't considered testing for radon, you might after reading this. Radon is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas. It might not destroy your home, but it can have a deadly affect on your health.

Dan Hylland installed the best in radon prevention piping in his new house, because he knows firsthand the lethal power of radon gas.

Hylland says, "About Easter in 2004, my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer."

Hylland says his father was not a smoker, and when checked, the radon levels in the home were twice the EPA's danger limit.

The situation inspired the Hylland's to start a radon mitigation business, teaching customers about the its dangers.

Hylland says "Uranium, which is found in the soil throughout the whole world, breaks down into radium and then into radon. Radon is the only one that is a gas and that's why it's a problem. It seeps up through cracks in the basement floor and enters your home."

Health officials say about a third of Minnesota homes have elevated radon levels, which is not a good thing, because behind smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S..

Kelly Domaille is a realtor who stresses the importance of radon testing to her clients both for safety and for resale value.

Domaille says, "The accepted level would be anything four pecocuries per liter or underneath. We've seen anything from 14 pecocuries (pC/L) and up."

Overall, the Midwest has the highest levels of radon. The porous limestone of Minnesota allows higher levels of radon to rise to the surface, and with the frozen ground in the winter, your basement can act as a chimney for the poisonous gas.

Hylland's business has helped the Okerstrom family lower dangerous gas levels by installing a radon ventilation system.

Paul Okerstrom says, "It's like ten times lower which gives me peace of mind, but hopefully it will get even better."

Hylland says, "You hear enough of those stories after being in the business for a while, and it's kind of a no-brainer: Test it and fix it; it's not that hard."

Minnesota passed a law that goes into affect June 1st making passive radon mitigation systems standard in new home construction.

You can buy a radon test kit online or through your county public health office for less than 20 dollars.