New Interactive Map of Average Radon Levels in Minnesota Counties
The Minnesota Department of Health has released an interactive map that shows the average radon levels across counties in Minnesota. The data is separated into two different categories, Greater than or equal to 2 pCi/L and greater than or equal to 4pCi/L. The website states that "Threshold of ≥ 2 pCi/L was selected because the EPA recommends considering mitigation if a home tests at ≥ 2 pCi/L. Threshold of ≥ 4 pCi/L was selected because the EPA highly encourages mitigation if a home tests at ≥ 4 pCi/L." In our area the map shows especially high levels of radon gas in Carlton County, Cass County, and Saint Louis County.
Carlton County
This includes the cities of Barnum, Carlton, Cloquet, Cromwell, Esko, Holyoke, Kettle River, Moose Lake, Sawyer, Wrenshall, and Wright. In this area the map shows that 74.7% of properties tested were at levels equal to or greater than 2 pCi/L and 42.1% of properties tested were measured at equal to or greater than 4pCi/L.
Cass County
This includes the cities of Remer, Swatara, Outing, Longville, Federal Dam, and Bena. In this area the map shows that 72.5% of properties tested were at levels equal to or greater than 2 pCi/L and 39.3% of properties tested were measured at equal to or greater than 4pCi/L.
Saint Louis County
This includes the cities of Duluth, Hermantown, Ely, Hibbing, Mountain Iron, and Hoyt Lakes. In this area the map shows that 59.0% of properties tested were at levels equal to or greater than 2 pCi/L and 29.5% of properties tested were measured at equal to or greater than 4pCi/L.
Radon gas is inconsistent from home to home, one home can have a 1 pCi/L result while the neighbors experience a radon level of 10 pCi/L. With this information in mind it is helpful to have an idea of how bad the radon problem is in your area, but until you have your home tested you will not know exactly how high your level of exposure to radon truly is. With radon being the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers in the U.S. we recommend everyone have their home tested for this dangerous gas. We provide free radon testing with mitigation estimates to everyone in our service area.
We encourage you to utilize the new map in order to to get a better understanding of the dangers of radon in homes in Minnesota. Please give us a call at 1-218-525-0720 after you have reviewed the information and wish to know the exact radon levels in your home.
The map provided by the Minnesota Department of Health: https://apps.health.state.mn.us/mndata/webmap/radon.html
Further reading on the dangers of Radon gas: http://www.foundationrepairduluth.com/radon-gas-mitigation.html
