Radon gas is an invisible threat that affects homes across Colorado. As residents of the Centennial State, it’s crucial we understand what radon is, why it’s a health risk, and how to test for it in our homes to keep our families safe.
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It forms from the natural radioactive breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. As it decays and breaks down further, radon releases energy in the form of radiation.
Radon gas is odorless, colorless, and tasteless. Since we can’t detect it with our senses, the only way to know if radon is present in dangerous levels is through testing.
How Radon Enters Our Homes
Radon is present outdoors at low levels. It becomes a concern when it accumulates in enclosed spaces like houses and builds up to high concentrations.
Radon seeps up through the ground and finds its way into our homes through cracks and openings in the foundation. Things like gaps around pipes, pores in concrete walls and floors, and loose fittings allow the soil gas to enter from underneath.
The air pressure inside our homes is usually lower than pressure in the soil around the foundation. This pressure difference literally sucks radon in through foundation cracks and openings.
Why Radon Poses a Health Risk
Radon is dangerous because of the radiation it emits as it decays. The particles released can damage our lung tissue when inhaled.
Long-term exposure to high radon levels increases one’s risk of developing lung cancer. After smoking, radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the US.
The longer someone is exposed to elevated levels of radon and the higher the concentration, the greater their cancer risk becomes. Radon puts non-smokers at risk and further increases the already-high risk for smokers.
Radon Risk Across the US
Radon levels can vary greatly between different geographic areas. Some parts of the country have higher radon potential based on local geology and soil composition.
Colorado happens to have more high radon areas than most other states due to our unique geological conditions. Large deposits of uranium-rich granite form the bedrock layers under much of the state. The decay of this uranium produces higher radon levels.
The Environmental Protection Agency has created radon zone maps to indicate areas of higher average short-term radon exposure. Much of Colorado falls into Zone 1 – the highest potential zone.
Why Colorado Homes Are Especially Vulnerable to Radon
A few key reasons put Radon testing Colorado homes at greater risk of dangerous radon accumulation:
Uranium-Rich Bedrock: Our granite-heavy geology produces more radon gas naturally.
Clay Soils: Impermeable clay soils in some areas trap radon, allowing it to accumulate to higher concentrations.
Cold Winters: Closing windows/doors for winter forces radon to accumulate indoors vs. dissipate outside.
Energy Efficiency: Tighter home sealing for efficiency also prevents indoor radon from escaping.
Mine Operations: Old abandoned mine shafts can emit radon gas up to the surface locally.
Mountain Communities: Cool night air and low air pressure at higher altitudes exacerbate radon suctioning.
These conditions prime many Colorado homes to be prone to excessive radon seepage and buildup when protections aren’t in place.
Recommended Radon Levels
There is no known completely “safe” level of radon since lung cancer risk increases with prolonged exposure to any amount. However, the EPA provides guidelines on radon concentrations based on health risk data.
The EPA recommends homes be fixed if the radon level is 4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or more. At this level, it’s cost-effective to make modifications to reduce health risks.
Work should be done more urgently if radon testing reveals levels of 8 pCi/L or higher in the home. The higher the level, the sooner steps should be taken to decrease concentrations.
For the greatest protection, the EPA suggests aiming for indoor radon levels below 2 pCi/L – equivalent to radon found outdoors.
How to Test Effectively for Radon in Colorado Homes
Since radon is an invisible threat specific to each individual home, the only way to gauge a home’s radon risk is through proper testing. Here is how to test effectively:
Use Approved Long-Term Test Kits
Do-it-yourself radon test kits can be ordered through certified radon measurement labs. Look for long-term test kits rather than shorter “first alert” versions for the most accurate read on average exposure. Long-term kits remain in place for 90 days to a year.
Follow Precise Directions
When placing and picking up test kits for analysis, carefully follow the laboratory’s instructions for consistent results. Details like closed-house conditions matter. Improper kit use could require retesting.
Evaluate Multiple Levels
The EPA advises testing in the lowest livable level of the home along with upper-level rooms. Test multiple spaces that are occupied for an hour or more per day for best representation of full home exposure.
Retest Every 2 Years
Radon levels can fluctuate over time with shifts in home settlement, pressure, renovations, weather, and more. It’s smart to retest indoor radon every 2 years or after major home changes to keep tabs on exposure.
Regular proper use of long-term radon detection kits in Colorado homes provides insight on health risks and when steps should be taken to reduce concentrations.
How to Reduce Radon Levels in Colorado Homes
When radon testing reveals dangerous levels in a Colorado home, there are solutions to decrease concentrations and protect one’s health.
Seal Foundation Cracks and Gaps
Filling cracks and openings in the foundation prevents radon gas from entering easily. Foams, caulks, and sealants keep radon sinking from the soil rather than rising inside. Maintaining good seals also improves home energy efficiency.
Install a Radon Mitigation System
Specially designed systems use pipes and fans to draw radon from below the foundation before it enters the home and redirect it above the roofline for safe dispersion. This technique is the most effective way to keep radon out and actively vent it. Average system installation costs range from $1200-$2500.
Increase Under-Floor Ventilation
Improving air circulation below ground-contact floors makes it harder for radon to accumulate in concentrated pockets. Strategically placed outdoor air vents keep the layer under floors better ventilated.
Maintain Proper Home Ventilation
Venting bath and kitchen fans to the outdoors and running HVAC systems to promote whole-home air circulation reduces pockets where radon can concentrate inside.
With the right mitigation approach in Colorado homes, radon levels can be effectively reduced to minimize health risks. Ongoing testing ensures post-mitigation concentrations stay low for full protection.
The Importance of Radon-Conscious Home Inspections in Colorado
Since radon exposure depends heavily on one’s unique home’s geography, materials, and systems, radon testing is an important part of responsible home ownership in Colorado.
Radon detection should be a key piece of pre-purchase home inspections. Understanding a property’s radon status before buying or building empowers residents to either select low-radon spaces or be prepared to mitigate if needed.
During a real estate transaction is the easiest and lowest-cost time to install protective radon systems if warranted. Having this data upfront avoids surprise costs and exposure down the road.
Radon-conscious inspectors also know the signs of high hazard – what geology, construction methods, and foundation conditions tend to accompany high test numbers. This expertise further guides home buyer risk analysis beyond testing alone.
Buying or selling a home without checking radon levels means closing your eyes to lung cancer risks for you and your family. Responsible Coloradoans include radon checks alongside assessing structural, electrical, and mechanical systems to enable homes that promote health.