Radon and your health
What is radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil, and Colorado has especially high levels. You can’t see, smell or taste radon, but it could be present at a dangerous level in your home.
Why test your home?
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers in America and claims the lives of about 21,000 Americans each year. In fact, the EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General urge all Americans to protect their health by testing their homes, schools and other buildings for radon. High radon levels have been found in all 50 states; about half the homes in Colorado have radon levels higher than the EPA's recommended action level.
Exposure to radon is a preventable health risk and testing radon levels in your home can help prevent unnecessary exposure. If a high radon level is detected in your home, you can take steps to fix the problem to protect yourself and your family.
Radon gas has been found in 45% of Leadville homes that have been tested. Test your home today for free!
Fill out the form below to request your FREE radon test, or visit either of the locations below!
Office of Environmental Health
825 W 6th St (Public Health)
Open M-Th 8-5
719-486-7481 | jlittlepage@co.lake.co.us
Cloud City Conservation Center
130 W 5th St, Suite 121 (Post Office)
By appointment
719-465-6164 | energy@c4leadville.org
Request a free radon test from C4:
I have my free test, now what?
Our free radon test kits include a short-term, activated charcoal test. To get the most accurate results and avoid a retest, follow the instructions included in your test kit exactly as written. The test requires 48 hours and a completely closed house (no open windows; doors can be used as normal but cannot be left open.) You’ll also need to test on the lowest livable level of your home (crawlspaces are not liveable, but finished/unfinished basements are.)
Once you’ve completed your test, you’ll mail the packet back to the lab for testing in the prepaid mailer included with your kit. Within about 2 weeks, you’ll receive a report from the lab with your results as well as some additional information on interpreting your test results and appropriate next steps.
i have my results, now what?
Radon concentration is measured in picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L). The EPA and the Surgeon General strongly recommend taking action when a home's radon test results are 4 pCi/L or greater. Even homes with very high levels can be reduced below 4 pCi/L with a radon mitigation system.
The EPA and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) recommend hiring a radon mitigation contractor that is certified through the National Radon Proficiency Program or the National Radon Safety Board to correct radon problems. Radon levels less than 4 pCi/L still pose some risk and in many cases may be reduced. Even if the radon level in your home is between 2 pCi/L and 4 pCi/L, it is recommended that you consider correcting the problem in your home.
As with any improvement project, please ensure that the contractor you choose meets your standards and is qualified to complete the project you’ve hired them for.
Need financial assistance for radon mitigation?
Click here to learn more about CDPHE’s Low-income Radon Mitigation Assistance program.