Radon Testing Colorado: What You Need to Know to Stay Safe

Radon is a radioactive gas that is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. It occurs naturally from the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water and gets into the air we breathe. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), radon is the number one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon exposure claims approximately 21,000 lives in the U.S. each year.

Radon Testing Colorado is crucially important for homeowners in the state. Colorado has some of the highest radon levels in the country, with 50% of homes having dangerous radon concentrations. The EPA and the Colorado Department of Public Health recommend all homes should be tested for radon.

In this blog post, we will discuss the health risks of radon, where radon comes from, radon testing recommendations, interpreting your radon test results, radon mitigation if levels are high, and Radon testing in Colorado. Read on to learn more about how to protect yourself and your loved ones from radon exposure.

Health Risks of Radon Exposure

Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. It accounts for approximately 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the U.S. every year. Radon decays into radioactive particles that when inhaled can damage lung tissue. Long-term exposure to radon can lead to lung cancer.

Smokers are at an even higher risk for developing radon-induced lung cancer. The chances of getting lung cancer from radon are 1 in 4 for people who smoke. For non-smokers, the risk is 1 in 20.

Children are also more vulnerable to radon. Their lungs and immune systems are still developing, so radon exposure at a young age is more dangerous.

The only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon exposure is to test your home’s levels.

Where Does Radon Come From?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that forms from the decay of uranium. Trace amounts of uranium are found in soil and rocks across the U.S. As uranium breaks down, it produces radon gas which seeps up through the ground.

Radon enters homes through cracks and openings in the foundation. It can accumulate to dangerous levels inside if airflow is restricted.

Certain areas of the country have higher radon levels due to the rock types and soils present. Colorado has some of the highest radon concentrations found. This is because the rocks underlying Colorado contain higher amounts of uranium.

Areas in Colorado with the highest radon levels include Douglas, Jefferson, El Paso, Arapahoe, and Adams counties. However, radon can be found across the entire state. Homes in both rural and urban areas are at risk.

The only way to determine if radon is present is to test. Radon levels can vary greatly between nearby homes. The geology underneath your home’s foundation determines radon levels more than neighborhood location.

Recommendations for Radon Testing

The EPA and Colorado Department of Public Health recommend all homes should be tested for radon. Testing is easy and inexpensive.

Here are the radon testing steps they advise:

• Use a certified radon test kit. Approved test kits can be purchased through the National Radon Program Services or at hardware stores and online. Make sure your kit has been approved by the state health department.
• Follow the directions for proper placement. Test kits should be put in the lowest livable level of the home. This is typically the basement if you have one. Place the kit at least 20 inches off the floor in a location where it won’t be disturbed.
• Close windows and doors. For accurate results, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible during the test period. Continued airflow can dilute radon levels and give false low readings. Fans, furnaces, fireplaces, and any other air-moving systems should be operated normally.
• Test for 48-96 hours. Short-term test kits require two to four days to get valid results. Make sure to close and seal your test kit promptly once the testing period is completed.
• Send to a certified lab for analysis. Use the postage-paid mailer to send your test kit to a qualified lab. Results are typically returned within a few days.

For the most accurate understanding of radon in your home, the EPA recommends conducting multiple tests in different seasons if possible. Radon levels can fluctuate, so repeat testing gives you a more complete picture over time.

Interpreting Your Radon Test Results

The EPA has set an action level of 4 pCi/L (picoCuries per liter) for average indoor radon concentration. At or above this level, they recommend fixing your home to reduce radon.

Here is how to interpret radon test results:

• Under 2 pCi/L: This is considered a low level. No action is necessary beyond retesting every few years.
• 2-4 pCi/L: Moderate radon level. Consider fixing between 2-4 pCi/L. Retest to confirm.
• 4 pCi/L or higher: This level requires action to reduce radon exposure through mitigation. The higher the level, the sooner action should be taken.

The EPA recommends radon mitigation for levels at or above 4 pCi/L. There is no known safe level of radon since lung cancer risk increases with prolonged exposure to any concentration. However, the action level of 4 pCi/L balances the costs of mitigation with the health risk reduction benefits.

Even radon levels below 4 pCi/L carry some risk. You can choose to add radon-reducing features to your home for any detectable radon level, especially between 2-4 pCi/L. Lowering radon whenever possible reduces health risks.

How to Lower High Radon Levels in Your Home

The only way to reduce radon in your home is through mitigation by a trained professional. There are several effective methods to lower radon:

Subslab suction (or active soil depressurization): The most common technique. A suction pipe and fan are used to pull radon from beneath the foundation and vent it outside before it can enter the home.

Drain tile suction: Radon is drawn from perimeter drain tile before entering through basement walls or floors. Used when subslab suction is not possible.

Block wall suction: Removes radon from hollow block wall spaces via a suction pipe when block foundation walls are in direct contact with the soil. Used alongside subslab suction.

Opening floors and walls: Creating openings in floor and wall foundations improves ventilation and reduces radon accumulation. Often used with fan-powered suction techniques.

Natural ventilation: Increasing ventilation allows outside air to dilute radon. Added ventilation alone rarely achieves sufficient reduction, but when combined with other mitigation strategies can lower high radon levels.

A certified radon mitigation contractor will assess your home and recommend the right system based on foundation type, radon levels, and other factors. Proper installation is key to effectively reducing radon in your home.

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Radon Testing Services in Colorado

It’s important to use a certified radon measurement and mitigation professional for testing and fixing your home. All radon Testing in Colorado must be licensed by the state health department.

There are two types of radon professionals:

Certified radon measurement technicians: Also called radon testers. They are trained to properly place and retrieve test kits and ensure accurate results. Look for technicians certified by the National Radon Proficiency Program (NRPP) or National Radon Safety Board (NRSB).

Certified radon mitigation contractors: Experts at assessing your home for the right radon reduction system and properly installing it. They have passed EPA radon mitigation exams plus state requirements. Choose a mitigation contractor certified by NRPP or NRSB.

The Colorado Department of Public Health website has a searchable list of certified radon services in all regions of the state. You can confirm a contractor’s current license and certification status before hiring.

Many certified radon services provide both testing and mitigation. One contractor can test, install mitigation systems if needed, and retest to confirm radon levels have been lowered.

Protect Your Home and Family with Radon Testing

Radon gas is responsible for approximately 500 lung cancer deaths each year in Colorado. Since you can’t detect radon problems on your own, testing is the only way to know if your home has dangerous radon levels putting your family’s health at risk.

With proper testing and mitigation when needed, radon exposure can be prevented. Take control over your home’s radon situation by having a certified technician test radon levels and fix any issues found. Ensuring your home has minimal radon levels greatly reduces the risk of lung cancer, so your family can breathe easier.