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Preparatory stage for the construction of a ventilated crawl space in an old brick building.

Free radon test kits available through Public Health

Naturally occurring gas that causes lung cancer is common in Garfield County

PRESS RELEASE
January 20, 2025

January is radon action month, and the Garfield County Public Health Department encourages everyone to test their home for radon gas to reduce the risk of radon-induced lung cancer.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), living in a home with Colorado’s average radon level (6.4 picocuries per liter or pCi/L) is equivalent to taking 200 chest X-rays a year. Both radon and X-rays expose you to radiation However, a single X-ray is considered safe while prolonged exposure to high levels of radon can damage lung tissue and increase the risk of cancer due to radon’s radioactive nature.

Nearly 40 percent of the homes in Garfield County have radon levels above the EPA action level. Free radon test kits are available at the Rifle and Glenwood Springs Garfield County Public Health offices, CLEER in Carbondale, at Aspen City Hall, and the Pitkin County Administration Building. Test kits can also be mailed to homes in Colorado.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas with no color, odor, or taste. It can easily enter homes and other buildings through small openings, such as cracks in foundations, openings around pumps and drains, and crawl spaces.

The best way to protect against radon is to perform a simple test of your home. CDPHE encourages all Colorado homeowners to test regardless of neighbors’ radon levels because radon levels can vary from home to home. Homeowners who already have radon mitigation systems should retest their homes every two years to make sure the system is working properly. Be sure to keep doors and windows closed during the duration of the test.

Any home can be affected by elevated levels of radon. If your home has high levels of radon, it’s important to take action to reduce your risk. Radon mitigation systems can reduce radon levels in any home. For those who cannot afford a mitigation system, Colorado offers a Low Income Radon Mitigation Assistance program to homeowners who qualify through a simple application process.

Garfield County Public Health information is provided online on the Garfield County Public Health website.