More Minnesota homeowners fixing radon problems

Minnesota's new radon disclosure law has led to a big jump in the number of homes equipped with radon removal systems.

Nearly 2,400 homes installed radon reducing equipment during the first nine months of 2014. That's double the number of mitigation systems installed over the same time period during the previous two years, the Minnesota Department of Health said Tuesday.

Radon, an odorless, colorless gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

The year-old law likely spurred more homeowners and homebuyers to test for radon as part of real estate transactions, said Dan Tranter, radon program supervisor with the health department.

"I think once people see that it's a significant public health issue — it causes lung cancer — it's fairly easy to test and it's fairly easy to fix," Tranter said. "As a result of that, some people are electing to have the home tested and have the home fixed."

Minnesota's radon disclosure law requires sellers to tell potential buyers whether a home has been tested for radon and whether any radon problems have been fixed.

The law does not require radon testing or mitigation.

Health officials estimate 40 percent of Minnesota homes have radon at or above 4 picocuries, the level the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency says should cause homeowners to make a fix.