Radon test kits are available from county

Radon test kits are available through the Washington Ozaukee Public Health Department.

Residents may bring a non-perishable food item that has not expired to the health department in either Washington or Ozaukee county in exchange for a free short-term test kit. One discounted test kit is allowed per household, and postage is not included in the kit.

Without a food donation, a short-term test kit will cost $7 and long-term test kit will cost $20.

All items collected during the outreach events will be donated to a local food bank.

Radon, a naturally occurring odorless, colorless gas found in rock and soil, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. It can enter a house whether it is old or new, drafty or well-sealed and built on a basement or a slab. The only way to know if you have high levels of radon in your home is through testing.

In Wisconsin, one out of 10 houses are believed to have high radon levels.

Once a homeowner opens the kit, they are to leave it for two days, then mail it to the lab for analysis.

If a homeowner chooses to have a mitigation system installed, it is recommended that the system be installed by a certified mitigation professional.

Certified environmental health staff members will hand out kits and answer questions from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, at Saukville Village Hall, 639 E. Green Bay Ave., and Trenton Town Hall, 1071 Hwy. 33, West Bend.

  The Ozaukee County Health Department is at 121 W. Main St., Suite 1100, Port Washington, and the Washington County location is at 333 E. Washington St., room 246, West Bend.

Kits and information will also be provided from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26, at the Village of Jackson Municipal Complex, N168 W19851 Main St.

  More information as well as a list of certified radon contractors can be found at www.lowradon.org.