Free radon test kits available to LaPorte County residents

LaPorte County health officials are offering free radon test kits to residents in a cooperative effort with state and national health agencies.

Radon, a colorless, odorless radioactive gas, escapes from underground, often permeating houses. Prolonged exposure to radon has been recognized as a public health risk since the 1980s. Radon exposure is the leading cause of non-smoking lung cancer, according to a LaPorte County Health Department news release.

Radon test kits can be picked up at both LaPorte County Health Department offices (809 State St., Suite 401 A, LaPorte and 302 W. 8th St., Suite 4, Michigan City) between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. weekdays.

Kits can be mailed to an independent lab in a pre-paid envelope and test results will be mailed back to residents.

For more information, call the health department at 2190 326-6808 Ext. 2200 in LaPorte or 219-874-5611, Ext. 7780 in Michigan City.