January is Radon Action Month. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year in the United States. About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked. For people who smoke, exposure to high levels of radon increases the risk of lung cancer by up to 10 times.
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the soil beneath and around some homes. About 1 out of 10 homes in Wisconsin has radon levels above the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Having a home with radon levels above 4 pCi/L increases your risk of developing lung cancer.
“There is no way to predict the level of radon in your home. The only way to know is to test. Testing is easy to do, inexpensive, and available from St. Croix County Public Health.”
- Ed Thurman, St. Croix County Environmental Health Specialist
Radon Testing Information
While you can't see or smell it, you can protect yourself from radon. Find out if you are at risk by testing your home for radon!
- Radon Test kits can be purchased for $10 from the St. Croix County Public Health Department
- Kits are available at:
- St. Croix County Government Center (Community Development Department), 1101 Carmichael Rd, Hudson WI
- St. Croix County Services Center, 1752 Dorset Ln, New Richmond WI
- All testing and lab fees are included in cost of kit.
- If you purchase a radon test kit elsewhere, make sure you buy a test kit approved by the U.S. EPA.
- If elevated radon levels are found in a home, the problem can usually be fixed at a reasonable cost. A trained and certified contractor should perform all mitigation work.
- A list of local certified measurement and mitigation contractors can be found at www.lowradon.org.
For more information about radon and radon testing, contact the St. Croix County Public Health Department at 715-246-8263 or by email at environmentalhealth@sccwi.gov.