Radon

Radon and Your Home

Cutaway illustration of a house showing how radon rises from the soil into the basement and living space. Labeled entry points are cracks in the foundation walls, gaps around pipes and cables, porous soil and bedrock, cracks in the floor slab, and sump pump openings.

Find what matters for your situation

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I'm buying or renting a new place

In Minnesota, home sellers must share what they know about a home's radon with buyers. Ask for past test results. If there aren't any, test before you move in — it's the cheapest time to find and fix a problem.

Someone in the household is pregnant, a young child, or over 65

Radon's effect adds up over a lifetime, so protecting kids early matters, and older adults have had longer exposure. If this is your household, move testing to the top of your list and consider fixing your home even in the 2.0 to 4.0 range.

I rent, and I'm worried about my unit

Minnesota doesn't currently require landlords to test or fix radon, so it's worth taking these steps yourself: buy a low-cost kit and test your own unit — you don't need the landlord's permission to test. Save the date and result each time, since levels change over time. If your result is high, contact your landlord to ask for testing and mitigation. If they decline, you can offer to share the cost of a system, or consider ending your lease.

I'm about to remodel or change my HVAC

Any work that changes airflow — finishing a basement, sealing, or swapping your furnace or AC — can change your radon level. Test before the work and again after, so you know where you stand.

Testing is the only way to know — and it's easy

What does my result mean?

If levels in my home are high, how do I lower them?

Take action against radon

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Free test kits for 10,000 Families Study participants

Minnesota 10,000 Families Study participants will receive a free AirChek test kit. Watch this short video to learn where to put your test kit and how to mail it back: How to Use an AirChek Radon Test Kit (5 minutes). Then, see what your AirChek result means.

Test kits for everyone else

Certified DIY kits are low-cost and come with everything you need. You collect your sample, mail it in, and get your results back. Order online at mn.radon.com, or check with your city or county health department.

Ready to use your test kit? Watch this short video to learn where to put your test kit and how to mail it back: How to Use an AirChek Radon Test Kit (5 minutes)

Find a licensed radon professional (testing and mitigation)

Need a pro to retest your home or help lower your levels? The Minnesota Department of Health lists licensed pros for testing and fixing radon across the state. See the list.

Apply for financial assistance

General Overview of Financial Help — Minnesota Department of Health
An overview of programs that can help pay to fix radon.

Minnesota Housing — mnhousing.gov
Programs that help pay for home repairs, including radon fixes. Call 800-657-3769.

U.S. Department of Agriculture — rd.usda.gov
Rural Development loans and grants that can help pay for home repairs, including radon fixes. Call 800-414-1226.

Minnesota Homeownership Center — hocmn.org
Help with the cost of home repairs. Call 866-462-6466.

More radon resources

References

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Radon basics & health risks

Testing & interpreting results

Mitigation

Financial assistance