Environmental Health Services

Radon

Radon is a colorless, odorless gas that is found in varying levels in every state in America. According to the U. S. Surgeon General, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths in the United States. Learn more.

Testing for radon

Because any building can have high level of radon, it is important to test your home for radon. Testing is easy and inexpensive. The Health Department has a limited number of FREE Radon Test Kits available for residents of Boone, Campbell, Grant and Kenton Counties in Northern Kentucky.

To request a Free Radon Kit, please complete this online form. Please be aware that due to excessively high demand, radon kits are no longer being mailed to homes. Anyone requesting a free kit must pick it up in person at the Northern Kentucky Health District Office, 8001 Veterans Memorial Parkway, Florence, Ky. 41042, between 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Limit: One kit per household. Boone, Campbell, Grant, and Kenton counties only.

Because radon levels can vary widely from house to house—even in houses on the same street—it is important to test for radon. In new houses, it is best to wait until after the home has been occupied. Winter is a good time to test your home for radon. You spend more time indoors in the winter, thus you are more likely to be exposed to radon in winter months.

If radon levels are found to be high, levels can be lowered by fairly simple, low-technology methods, which must be designed and installed by professional contractors to ensure their effectiveness.

New construction

Although Kentucky does not require testing or the use of radon-resistant building techniques, if you are building a new home, you can ask your builder to incorporate radon–resistant features during construction. These features are very inexpensive and simple, and can be easily activated if the home is found to have high radon levels at a later date.

More information

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Environmental Protection Agency