January is National Radon Action Month

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil.

• It's a gas that moves up through the soil to the atmosphere.

• ​High radon levels have been found in all 50 states and in all parts of Colorado.
• 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).
• Radon has no color, odor or taste and doesn't cause short-term symptoms of illness.
• Radon causes cancer.
  • It's estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States.
  • It's the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U. S, according to the surgeon general.
  • Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.

Learn more:  https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/understanding-radon
Order discounted testing kits:  http://sosradon.org/test-kits
Radon moves from uranium-bearing granite deposits in the soil to the atmosphere.

• Your home sits on radon's pathway from the soil to the atmosphere.
• Your home is usually warmer and has lower air pressure than the surrounding soil, so gases in the soil, including radon, move into your home.
• The most common routes are:
  • 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.

• ​​The age and/or type of home doesn't matter when it comes to whether high levels of radon are present.

Learn more about radon, testing for radon, and mitigating radon from Colorado's Department of Public Health and & Environment at https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdphe/categories/services-and-information/environment/radon