Unhealthy levels of cancer-causing radon found in nearly 50% Colorado homes, testing encouraged
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, and El Paso County has been designated as an area with high radon potential, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) encourages residents to take action this January during National Radon Action Month by testing your home for radon.
Brent Ulbert with Radon Professional Discount Supply in Colorado Springs says radon testing is quick, simple, and affordable. He adds "radon is a Class-A carcinogen. It’s the number one leading cause of lung cancer, only behind smoking. It kills twice as many people as drunk driving every single year."
Ulbert explains, "the easiest way not to get cancer in my opinion, is to test for radon. It's cheap and quick, do it every two years and make sure your family is safe because there’s no legislation protecting you."
The Colorado Department of Public Health says nearly 50 percent of Colorado homes have unhealthy levels of cancer-causing radon, a radioactive gas that has no color, odor, or taste. Radon results from the natural breakdown of uranium found in soils, rock, and water. Radon in Colorado is generated by the radioactive decay of radium, which is present in uranium-bearing soils found throughout the Rocky Mountains and the eastern plains. All homes, regardless of construction type or style, can have elevated radon levels. Because radon is invisible and odorless, the only way to know if your home has a high level of radon is to test.
“January is National Radon Action Month, and now is the perfect time to start the process of testing your home for radon,” said Melissa Rogerson, air quality program manager for El Paso County Public Health. “We recommend testing your home during the winter months, when you typically have the doors and windows closed. This will lead to the most accurate test results. While you can test in the summer months, it can lead to a lower result, which may give a false sense of security. Testing is easy, and typically includes setting out a short-term test kit for 24 to 48 hours and sending it back to a laboratory.”
According to the EPA, radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year.
Test kits are generally inexpensive to purchase, and discounted kits are available. To find a testing kit, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/testing-your-home-radon. Look for kits marked “certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program.” The recommended action limit for radon is four picocuries per liter (pCi/L). If your house tests higher than four pCi/L, you can find information about mitigation and how to choose a certified mitigation contractor at elpasocountyhealth.org/services/radon and cdphe.colorado.gov/testing-your-home-radon.
Homes and buildings that have high levels of radon can be mitigated with simple and affordable venting techniques. Homeowners who already have radon mitigation systems should retest their homes every few years to make sure the system is working properly. For more information, the EPA recommends the following resources: National Radon Proficiency Program at www.nrpp.info and National Radon Safety Board at www.nrsb.org. Those in need may apply for financial assistance with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Low Income Radon Mitigation Assistance Program. For more information about radon testing, call (719) 578-3199 and select option 3, or visit elpasocountyhealth.org.
Professional Discount Supply Radon in Colorado Springs has several resources to learn more here and here.
