The New Brunswick government is offering free radon testing for homes in the Harvey area.

The decision comes after the discovery of a 1981 report on testing that showed high levels of radon and uranium in some homes and wells.

"We're going to have these tests conducted at the request of the residents there, and then we'll find out through the medical officer whether there's any concerns. Then we'll go forward from there," said Health Minister Mike Murphy on Friday.

The government will also offer free uranium testing for wells in the area.

A 1981 report uncovered by the New Brunswick Conservation Council earlier in the week showed that the Health Department had found there to be levels of radon in the community that were above the national guidelines.

Radon is a radioactive element that comes from rocks bearing uranium and is often linked to the risk of developing lung cancer.

The Health Department had tested 41 homes in Harvey Station, which is southwest of Fredericton, and another 45 outside the village to measure for the presence of radon and uranium.

The results of the testing, which showed more than 40 per cent of the homes and area wells had radon levels above the national guidelines, were never distributed to the community.

The conservation council also found a draft letter that appeared to have never been sent to the citizens of the small community.

The Health Department has investigated the matter but it is still not clear why the citizens weren't informed of the results, said Murphy.

"We have been unable to determine if homeowners were advised of the results of testing in their homes and wells. Documentation related to the study suggests the Department of Health intended to notify residents but there is no record to show this occurred," he said.

But it doesn't yet appear that any unusual health concerns have arisen in the community, Murphy said.

Chief medical officer Dr. Wayne MacDonald said he has spoken with the district medical health officer, and local doctors have not reported any evidence of illnesses that are often linked to radon or uranium.

The free testing will be available to about 500 homes within the village and along Route 3 heading south to York Mills.

Residents should wait to bring their water samples to the Harvey municipal office until the fall, MacDonald said, because radon testing is more effective in colder weather.

Pat Morecraft now lives in one of the homes that was found to have the highest radon levels 27 years ago.

"I'm definitely going to get it checked out," Morecraft said. "We had no idea that that was even talked about before."