Understanding Radon: The invisible risk you shouldn’t ignore
By Meredith Lockwood, El Paso County Public Health Environmental Health Division Manager
Did you know that experts recommend you regularly check the radon levels in your home?
Many homes in Colorado have high levels of radon, a radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium found in soils, rock, and water. You can’t smell, see, or taste radon, but it can build up in your home and cause serious health concerns. The good news is that testing for radon is easy and affordable, and there are cost-effective options for mitigating radon in your home to keep your family safe. January is Radon Action Month, and it’s a perfect time of the year to perform a radon test!
Impact of radon
Radon is generated by the radioactive decay of radium, which is present in uranium-
bearing soils found throughout the Rocky Mountains and the eastern plains. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer deaths after cigarette smoking. When you breathe in radon, the radioactive decay products can get trapped in your lungs and increase the risk of lung cancer. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon causes about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) reports that it causes 500 lung cancer deaths a year in Colorado alone. Additionally, CDPHE states that the risk of lung cancer from radon is almost 10 times higher for those who currently smoke cigarettes compared to those who have never smoked.
How radon gets in your home
Radon typically seeps into your home through the following:
- Spaces between basement walls and the slab
- Cracks in foundations and/or walls
- Openings around sump pumps and drains
- Construction joints and plumbing penetrations
- Crawl spaces
- Well water with high radon concentrations
Elevated levels of radon can be present in homes with or without basements, regardless of the age of the home. Both older and newly built homes are susceptible, so it is important to test for radon to ensure a safe living environment.
Testing for radon
Test kits are generally inexpensive to purchase, and homes and buildings that have high levels of radon can be mitigated with simple and affordable venting techniques. The best time to test your home for radon is when all your windows and doors are shut, which is why winter is the ideal time for testing for radon.
For those who need assistance with the cost of testing, resources are available:
- CDPHE offers discounted and low-cost radon test kits. To find a test kit, visit cdphe.colorado.gov/testing-your-home-radon.
- For more information, the EPA recommends the following resources: National Radon Proficiency Program at https://www.nrpp.info and National Radon Safety Board at https://www.nrsb.org.
Radon kits are widely available online or at hardware stores and generally range from $10 to $50.Those shopping for a radon test kit should look for kits marked “certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program. Additionally, Radon test kits are available for purchase at the El Paso County Public Health Laboratory, located at 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road. Homeowners who already have radon mitigation systems should retest their homes every few years to make sure the system is working properly.
Understanding radon levels
While no level of radon is safe, the recommended action limit for radon is 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). That means if your house tests higher than 4 pCi/L, you should consider a radon mitigation system. Depending on the size and design of your home, radon systems can cost $500 to $2,500. CDPHE’s Low Income Radon Mitigation Assistance Program can assist those in need with the costs of radon mitigation systems. Visit the site to apply or for information about eligibility at cdphe.colorado.gov/hm/low-income-radon-mitigation- assistance. You can find information about mitigation and how to choose a certified mitigation contractor at elpasocountyhealth.org/services/radon and cdphe.colorado.gov/hm/testing-your-home-radon.
Protecting your family
Because radon is invisible and odorless, radon awareness is your strongest tool. Nearly 50% of Colorado homes have unhealthy levels of cancer-causing radon. El Paso County has been designated as an area with high radon potential, according to CDPHE. Testing your home is the only way to know whether you’re at risk for high levels of radon exposure. If needed, mitigation can help reduce long-term health concerns.
