Free Radon Home Test Kits Offered To Jeffco Residents

JEFFERSON COUNTY, CO — January is National Radon Action Month, and public health officials in Jefferson County are encouraging residents to pick up free radon test kits all month long, while supplies last.

One free kit is offered per address on a first-come, first-served basis, officials said. There are 875 free kits available.

In years past, Jeffco residents have been able to pick up the kits in person, but this year, the kits will be mailed. Residents are asked to fill out this form to receive their kits.

"JCPH will only be able to provide one kit per request/address, so if you are requesting on behalf of an HOA or larger organization, please send this link to your residents and ask them to request their kit individually," officials said in a public notice.

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Radon is a colorless, odorless and tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water. It creeps through cracks of a home's foundation with potentially deadly results. Every year, about 500 Coloradans die from lung cancer after long-term exposure to radon. About 21,000 people die nationally.

In Jefferson County, more than half of homes tested have high levels of radon. While there is always some radon in the air, high levels of exposure to radon over time can lead to a significant risk of developing lung cancer. The risk of lung cancer is even greater for smokers who are exposed to radon.

“We know that in Jeffco, it doesn’t matter if your home is new or old, or large or small — any home can have high levels of radon," said Mitch Brown, Environmental Health Supervisor at Jefferson County Public Health.

"The geology here in Colorado makes us more prone to radon, but by testing, you can know if you need to take steps to make your home safer for you and your family.

“If we can find the places radon is getting trapped indoors, we can mitigate it and lessen the negative health effects it has on our community. That’s a win for us all.”

Homeowners do not need to test for radon annually if their homes have recently tested below the maximum threshold (4 picocuries per liter). If your home has recently tested below this, plan on testing every two or three years, officials said. If your home has tested above this threshold, more comprehensive testing may be needed to gauge the severity of the problem.

There is no safe level of radon, so even if your home tests below four picocuries per liter, you may still want to consider mitigation, Jeffco public health officials said.

Jefferson County Public Health staff will also be available to help homeowners understand how to use the test kits properly and what to do if the test results show high levels of radon in the air. If action is needed to reduce radon in a home, it's important to test homes for radon again to be sure the action worked and the air is safe, officials said. Resources may be available for those whose homes test positive for high levels of radon and who qualify through the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

After January and throughout the remainder of 2020, radon test kits will be available for purchase at Jefferson County Public Health for $10 each.

Frequently asked questions and more information can be found here.