Radon gas ñ an invisible threat that represents the nationís second-leading cause of lung cancer ñ is present in as many as 40 percent of homes in the Rocky Mountain area, and two local agencies are teaming up to help residents protect themselves.The El Paso County Department of Health and Environment and Colorado State University Cooperative Extension are offering free radon test kits to the public. These kits are easy to use and require no specialized training or knowledge; results of the tests will be provided confidentially to participants.Radon is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that is dispersed in outdoor air but tends to get trapped in buildings, including homes, where it can reach harmful levels. Radon is produced naturally in the decay of uranium, so people who live in highly mineralized areas such as Colorado have a greater risk of exposure to radon gas than the national average.More than 21,000 people die in the United States from illness associated with radon, including about 350 Coloradans. For people who donít smoke, radon is the leading cause of lung cancer; for people who do smoke, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. ìBecause people canít see or smell radon, they tend to downplay the health effects and ignore the possibility that it might be present in their homes,î said Sheila Barry, Family and Consumer Science Agent with the CSU Extension Office. ìOur goal is to take action and give people the opportunity to learn more about radon and test their homes,î she said.For more information contact the CSU Cooperative Extension at 636-8920 or the El Paso County Department of Health and Environment at 578-3131.
