Free Radon Test Kits For JeffCo Residents

LAKEWOOD, CO -- The colorless, odorless radioactive gas radon is found at high levels in almost half of homes tested in Colorado. Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers.

In recognition of National Radon Action Month, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH)'s Lakewood office will provide free radon test kits to homeowners throughout the month of January, the agency announced.

People are exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that enters homes and other buildings through cracks and gaps in foundations. 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, Jeffco Public Health said in a statement. The risk of lung cancer is even greater for smokers exposed to radon.

“People are often exposed to radon while at home, where they spend the most time,” said Mitch Brown, senior environmental health specialist at JCPH, said in a statement. “Testing is the only way to find out how much radon is in the air in your home. But the good news is that tests are easy to use and inexpensive.”

In addition to providing the free test kits, JeffCo public health staff will 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.

The free radon test kits will be provided, one per family, throughout the month of January. Kits can be picked up at Jefferson County Public Health, located at 645 Parfet Street in Lakewood. Throughout the remainder of 2018, radon test kits will be available for purchase at $10 each.

In conjunction with National Radon Action Month, January 2018 has been declared as Jefferson County Radon Action Month by the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners, City of Lakewood and City of Golden.

For more information:
Contact Mitch Brown, JCPH Senior Environmental Health Specialist at 303-271-5767 or mlbrown@jeffco.us.

Helpful links:

• Jefferson County Public Health: Radon
• CDPHE: Testing and Mitigating Your Home for Radon (List of Professionals)
• CDPHE: Radon and Real Estate
• Environmental Protection Agency: Radon

Image via U.S. Environmental Protection Agency