Radon
Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless gas that occurs naturally in the soil. It can enter your home through cracks in the foundation, walls, and openings around pipes and sump pumps. It is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause for smokers. Radon exposure combined with smoking creates a serious health risk.
In Calumet County, 50% of homes that completed radon testing had high radon levels. About one out of every ten homes in Wisconsin has high radon levels. Any home, whether old or new, with or without a basement, can have radon. Since you cannot smell, taste, or see radon, the only way to know if you have high levels is to test for it.
Radon Kits
Testing is simple and inexpensive. Place the test on the lowest level of the house that you use. When the testing period is over, mail the kit to the lab, and the lab will mail back your results in a few weeks.
Public Health has a limited supply of test kits available for purchase. Depending on your needs, both short-term and long-term test kits are available. The price of a short-term test kit is $8.00 and a long-term test kit is $21.00.
The kits are available at the Public Health office, Room 238, located in the Calumet County Courthouse, 206 Court Street, Chilton. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Test kits are also available by mail, postage fees apply. To place an order to get a test kit by mail, contact the Eastern Wisconsin Regional Radon Information Center at (920) 683-4454. Calumet County is part of this regional center, which also includes Door, Brown, Kewaunee, and Manitowoc Counties.