08/12/2026
🏠 FREE RADON TESTING AVAILABLE TO ELIGIBLE PTN COMMUNITY MEMBERS & EMPLOYEES
This is a reminder that the Environmental Protection Department currently offers free radon gas testing. Radon gas is the second leading cause of lung cancer after cigarette smoking and Nebraska has the 3rd highest radon levels in the entire country. The EPA recommends testing your residence for radon every 2 years, or after any renovation.
Who is eligible for free testing:
-Any Ponca Tribal Member or any PTN Employee (do not have to be tribally affiliated) THAT
-Owns their residence AND
-Resides with the PTN Service Delivery Areas
If you are interested in testing, please email Cody Barta, the Environmental Specialist, at [email protected] , and he will get in contact to schedule a time that works for you.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is radon? Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive, odorless gas that is constantly being released from the ground. It comes from the radioactive decay of underground uranium. It can build up in lower levels of houses due to pressure differences between inside and outside.
Is radon dangerous? Radon gas is radioactive and is the second leading cause of lung cancer. We breathe radon gas into our lungs, which leads to the possibility of the radon releasing alpha radiation while in the lungs, which can cause damage. Alpha radiation is normally harmless as it can’t pe*****te our skin, but within our lungs alpha radiation can do more damage. The main danger is long term exposure to high levels of radon, which can raise chances of lung cancers, especially in combination with smoking.
What can I do about high radon levels? Radon can be mitigated by simple procedures done to the home, usually by fixing the pressure differences between the lower level of the home and the outside ground. Sometimes this involves installing a fan in the basement and running a pipe from the basement to the outside air. In other situations, simple changes in ventilation or air conditioning can fix the problem.
What does a radon test consist of? The environmental specialist will arrange a time with you to set-up two tests in the lowest livable space in your housing. A basement used mostly for storage would NOT be tested, for example, but a finished basement with a bedroom WOULD be tested. The radon monitors are about the size of a coffee mug and will be placed at least 20 inches above the floor, and away from vents, windows, and doors. Windows and doors should remain closed for the duration of the test. After the tests are deployed, the environmental specialist will arrange a time to pick up the tests, which can be any time after 3 days of testing has occurred.
How long will the test take, and when will I have the results? Our radon tests run for at least 3 days, but can run longer, if necessary, due to scheduling . Results are usually available 1 business day after the test has concluded. If levels are elevated, it may be recommended to do a month-long test to gather more data on the average radon levels.
Want to schedule a test?
Contact Cody Barta, Environmental Specialist, at [email protected]. Cody will work with you to schedule a convenient time for testing.
