Radon comes from the natural radioactive breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It is an invisible, odorless, tasteless, cancer-causing gas that enters buildings through the numerous cracks, holes, and pipes in the foundation. It can also enter a building from well water.
Radon can be found in any building, but homes are the most concerning since that’s where families spend the most time.
Approximately 50% of homes in Colorado have elevated radon levels. The EPA has ranked Denver as "Zone 1," which means the average house will likely exceed the EPA's action level of 4.0 pCi/L. Learn more about radon in Colorado from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Radon Can Cause Cancer
Radon breaks down into radioactive particles that can cause cancer when inhaled. These radioactive particles can damage the cells in our lungs and increase the risk of lung cancer.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. It is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year and about $2 billion in medical expenses and lost productivity. The Iowa Radon Lung Cancer Study tracked nearly 1,000 women who had lived in their homes for more than 20 years. The results of the case-control study (after adjusting for age, smoking, and other factors) indicated that a 20-year exposure of radon levels at the EPA guideline of 4.0 pCi/L yielded an increased lung cancer risk of 50%.
Radon and Smoking: A Deadly Combination
Smokers exposed to high concentrations of radon have an even greater risk of developing lung cancer than being exposed to either substance individually. The risk of lung cancer from radon gas is estimated to be approximately 10-15 times greater for persons who smoke cigarettes in comparison with those who have never smoked. Get help quitting tobacco.
The Face of Radon-Related Lung Cancer
The following video features Johanna Carpine of Wellington, Colorado. She was diagnosed with radon-related lung cancer in 2013. After a two-year battle, Johanna died on August 21, 2015.
Home test kits are easy to use and inexpensive. Testing is the only way to know if you and your family are at risk from radon. DDPHE recommends testing your home every 2-3 years because conditions can and do change.
While supplies last, Denver residents can order a free test kit online.
If test results show that your home does have a high level of radon, don’t worry, high levels of radon are easily mitigated. Review the Understanding Your Test Results section in the Citizen’s Guide to Radon.
Once you have a radon test, you can view this quick instructional video to learn how to use it.
If your home has radon levels above the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended action level of 4.0 picocuries of radon per liter of air (pCi/L), then a radon reduction system (often referred to as a mitigation system) should be installed.
Find a radon contractor
Certified Radon Measurement and Mitigation Contractors
As of July 1, 2022 all contractors conducting radon measurement and/or mitigation in Colorado must be licensed by the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). Verify that the certified contractor you have selected is licensed by DORA.
Mitigation Assistance
The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) provides financial assistance for mitigating radon through its Low-Income Radon Mitigation Assistance program. If you meet income requirements the program will pay up to 100% of the cost of mitigating radon from your home when a system is installed by a certified radon professional.