by Amanda Mayle | Jan 17, 2020 | News, Public Health Recommendations
- Radon is an odorless, colorless gas that is produced by the natural breakdown of uranium, which is present in soil, rocks and sometimes groundwater.
- January is Radon Action Month, be an informed homeowner by testing your home for radon. Radon exposure can present a significant health risk and it’s entirely preventable.
- Breathing unsafe levels of radon can lead to lung cancer. In fact, radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, second only to smoking.
- All Colorado counties, including Mesa, are considered Zone 1, meaning there is a high radon potential because the soil in Colorado is rich in minerals, specifically uranium. When the uranium naturally breaks down in soil, rock, and water, it produces radon, which gets into the air you breathe.
- Protect your family by testing your home for radon. It’s simple and could save your life.
- Get a kit. A limited number of free test kits are available for Colorado residents through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
- Place the test kit in the main living area of your home.
- Send it in for testing.
- Smoking makes radon even more dangerous. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smokers who live in homes with high radon levels have a risk of lung cancer that is 10 times higher than nonsmokers.
- Radon can leak into homes and buildings through cracks in the foundation or other means.
- The age and/or type of home doesn’t matter when it comes to whether high levels of radon could be present.
- During cold weather months, the potential for high radon gas levels is highest because windows and doors are locked tight to keep out cold air.
- In Colorado, about half the homes have radon levels higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended action level of 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L).
