CDPHE offers low-cost test kits to protect families (including pets!)
DENVER, January 5, 2023 — Gov. Jared Polis has proclaimed January 2023, National Radon Action Month, and the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment urges Colorado residents to test their homes for radon using a low-cost radon test kit.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America and claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year. Radon exposure studies also indicate that children can be at greater risk for developing cancer. In Colorado, nearly half of homes have high radon levels, and more than 500 lung cancer deaths in the state each year are attributed to radon. The best way to protect against radon is to perform a simple, low-cost test of your home.
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas with no color, odor, or taste. Radon can easily enter homes and other buildings through small openings like cracks in foundations, openings around pumps and drains, and crawl spaces. Even pets can be susceptible to negative health effects related to radon due to the amount of time they spend close to the ground and their smaller lung capacity.
"Testing your home for radon is simple and should be done when all your doors and windows are closed. That's why January is a great time to test, during National Radon Action Month." said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, CDPHE. "Our low-cost testing program helps keep the public safe, especially families who may not be able to afford to test for radon otherwise. We want everyone to be safe from this silent cancer-causing gas."
Homeowners who already have radon mitigation systems should retest their homes every few years to make sure the system is working properly. More information is available on the CDPHE website.