Radon and Radon Testing
About 1 out of 10 homes in Wisconsin has high radon levels
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is radioactive and can cause lung cancer. Radon can leak into your home and is common in Wisconsin. While you can't see or smell it, you can protect yourself from it.
Testing for radon is common when buying or selling a home, but you should take action now by testing your home.
free radon home test kits
Thanks to a grant from the Wisconsin Cancer Collaborative, we have FREE radon home test kits available during December 2023 - Februrary 2024 (while supplies last). Stop by Jackson County DHHS or your local village hall in Alma Center, Melrose, Merrillan or Taylor to pick up your kit today.
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium and gets into the air you breathe. Radon is colorless, tasteless and odorless. It's a silent killer, since people can't tell if they're being exposed. When you breathe air containing radon, you may increase your risk of getting lung cancer.
Unfortunately, the human body does not produce symptoms or warning signs to alert us when being exposed to radiation. Radon causes lung cancer, but does not cause headaches, nausea or other feelings of ill health. Most people won’t know they have cancer until they hear it from their doctor. The only way to know if your family is being exposed to radon is to test your home for it.
Radon may enter a home anywhere there is an opening between the home and the soil and directly through concrete. These openings include floor drains, sumps, foundation cracks, and many more. It moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through the foundation. Your home traps radon inside where it can build up. Any home can have a radon problem. This means new and old homes, well-sealed and drafty homes and homes with or without basements.
Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. Testing is inexpensive and easy.
How do I test?
If you've never tested your home before, it is recommended that you start with a short-term charcoal test. The test remains in your home for three to seven days, is mailed to a lab and the results are returned to you.
Don't mistake your smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector for a radon detector. The ONLY way to test your home for radon is with a radon testing kit.
GREAT NEWS! Starting December 13, 2023, we have FREE radon home test kits available, while supplies last! Stop at Jackson County DHHS to pick up your free radon home test kit.
The Jackson County Public Health Department provides short-term radon test kits at a cost of $10.00 each.
TAke Action
Visit the WI DHS Radon website to find a list of contractors certified for measuring radon and reducing it in your home.
WI DHS Radon Website - Radon Measurement and Mitigation Specialists
The WI DHS Radon website also provides information on steps to take to reduce radon in your home.
Download our quick guide for more information on radon. Click on the image above.