Radon

What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring, odorless, tasteless, colorless radioactive gas that causes lung cancer. Uranium in rock, soil, and water naturally decays and gives off radon.5-10% of the homes in Wisconsin have radon levels above the US EPA guideline of 4 pCi/L for the year average on the main floor. Every region of Wisconsin has some homes with radon levels higher than this guideline.

Because radon is a gas, radon moves through soil and structures to the water below the ground surface and to the air above. Homes and buildings can trap air that has radon and cause health concerns. Dust particles with radon can be breathed in; these radioactive particles cling to lung tissue and decay there. The lung damage caused can lead to lung cancer.

Who should test for Radon?

All homes should be tested for radon.

Regional Radon Information Centers

Wisconsin has 17 County Health Departments which serve as Regional Radon Information Centers for groups of counties.

Waushara County Public Health acts as the Radon Information Center, who responds to radon questions from residents of Waushara, Marquette, Green Lake, and Portage Counties. Information about the health effects of radon, the benefits of radon testing, and radon mitigation is provided by this Radon Information Center. Radon screening kits, both short and long term, can be bought at any of these following locations.

Waushara County Health Department: 380 S. Townline Rd., Wautoma

Green Lake County Health Department: 571 County Rd. A, Green Lake

Marquette County Health Department: 428 Underwood Ave, Montello

Portage County Health Department: 817 Whiting Ave, Stevens Point

Prices for the radon test kits are:

$7 for a short-term radon test kit

$20 for a long-term radon test kit

**You will need to pay for shipping. The lab recommends using a shipping method that includes tracking and will deliver within 10 days such as: USPS Priority Mail, USPS Express Mail, FedEx or UPS.