ST. PAUL  (AP) -- The Minnesota Department of Health is reminding residents to test their homes for dangerous radon gas during January, which has been designed Radon Action Month.

The department says it has distributed to about 3,500 radon test kids to 30 local public health agencies around the state, which will distribute them to homeowners.

For details on how to get a kit, contact your local public health agency. The department has published a list of participating agencies on its web site.

MDH estimates that about one-third of Minnesota homes have radon levels that a pose a risk to health if exposure continues for many years. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

More From AM 1240 WJON