mitigations took place in the metro area and southern Minnesota than in other parts of the state.
Comparing areas with low mitigation rates (bottom 25% of neighborhoods) to areas with high mitigation rates (the top 25%) in the seven-county Twin Cities metro area, MDH found:
o Household poverty rates are three times higher in areas with low mitigation.
o The percent of rental housing is 2.7 times higher in areas with low mitigation – roughly 45%, compared to 17% across high mitigation areas.
o Median home value is 1.5 times lower in areas with low mitigation – $197,000 on average, compared to $309,000 across high mitigation areas.
“These data show radon mitigation is a health equity issue,” Tranter said. “We are sharing the information with local public health organizations, health care providers and other partners around the state to promote awareness and outreach in communities that have low radon testing and mitigation rates. We also must continue looking at the reasons certain areas have lower testing and mitigation rates and what can be done to improve those rates.”
In homes found to have high radon levels, radon reduction typically involves installing a venting pipe and fan to pull the gas from under the home to the outside. This reduces the amount of radon in the home to low levels. Minnesotans can find a list of radon measurement and mitigation professionals on the MDH website at Radon in Homes.
January is National Radon Action Month, and all month long MDH will be partnering with local public health departments and other organizations to raise awareness and make test kits available to Minnesotans at low or no cost. MDH is also raising awareness through TV, radio, billboard and internet spots.
To learn more about radon risks, testing and mitigation in Minnesota:
Radon disparities maps
MN Public Health Data Access portal
Purchase a low-cost test kit
Visit Radon in Homes or call the MDH Indoor Air Unit at 651-201-4601 or 1-800-798-9050.
-MDH-
Media inquiries:
Doug Schultz
MDH Communications
651-201-4993
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January 7, 2020 https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2020/radon010720.html
https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2020/radon010720.html
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