Free radon testing kits available through county

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

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.

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.

Kits can be obtained at the Ozaukee and Washington county health department offices from 8:30 a.m. to noon Fridays, Jan. 20 and 27.

The Port Washington office is at 121 W. Main St. and the West Bend location at 333 E. Washington St.

Kits may also be requested by mail from the Ozaukee County office. A $5 fee is charged.

A list of certified radon contractors can be found at www.lowradon.org.

Additional information is available at washozwi.gov, and certified environmental health personnel are available at (262) 335- 4462 or 284-8170 to answer radon questions.