January 30, 2023 National Radon Action Month
For National Radon Action Month, Jeffco, Clear Creek and Gilpin Recommends Residents Test Their Homes to Protect Their Families
January is National Radon Action Month, and Jefferson County Public Health, Clear Creek Public Health and Gilpin County CSU Extension Office are encouraging residents to protect themselves and loved ones from dangerous radon gas by testing their homes.
Radon is a dangerous and naturally-occurring radioactive gas that you cannot smell, taste or see. People are exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that enters homes and other buildings through cracks and gaps in foundations. Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and a top environmental cause of cancer nationwide. Homeowners do not need to test for radon annually if their homes have recently tested below the maximum threshold (4 picocuries per liter). For homes that have recently tested below this, testing every 2-3 years is recommended.
Jefferson County Residents: JCPH is offering 800 free radon test kits during the month of January (while supplies last, one per address and on a first come-first served basis) to Jefferson County residents. JCPH will be mailing the test kits to residents. To sign up to receive your kit and for more information visit, Radon | Jefferson County, CO (jeffco.us) Once the supply of free kits is exhausted, and throughout the remainder of 2023, radon test kits are available for purchase at JCPH for $10 each.
Gilpin County Residents: Gilpin County residents can visit the Gilpin County CSU Extension office for more information. Radon – Gilpin County Extension (colostate.edu)
Clear Creek County Residents: Clear Creek County in partnership with Boulder County is also offering a limited supply of free radon test kits at the Clear Creek County Annex building. Visit Radon | Clear Creek County, CO – Official Website (clear-creek.co.us)
Note: Childcare Centers per the Colorado Childcare CDPHE’s health and sanitation regulations are required to test all occupied rooms in the childcare facility. As of July 1, 2022, House Bill 21-1195 requires childcare centers to now have their facility tested by a radon professional licensed by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). If Child Care centers tested for radon prior to the July 1, 2022 date, no need to retest. The recommendation is that Centers retest every 5 years. This CDPHE rule is only for Child Care Centers only, homebased childcares can test their homes themselves just like any homeowner.
Resources may be available for those whose homes test positive for high levels of radon and who qualify the Low-Income Radon Mitigation Assistance program through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (external link). [cdphe.colorado.gov]