National Radon Action Month!

January is National Radon Action Month and EnergySmart wants to help!! We are offering free radon test kits* as part of our services! Normally test kits range from $15 - $40, plus the cost for analysis, but Boulder County Public Health is covering the cost of both the kit and the lab analysis for enrolled EnergySmart participants.

Have you had your home tested for radon recently?

Did you know that Colorado has moderate to high levels of this naturally occurring colorless, odorless, radioactive gas?

Radon
A gas that comes up through the soil and normally dissipates, radon becomes a cause for worry when it sneaks into your home through cracks, joints, loose-fitting pipes, etc. The gas will accumulate, especially in the winter when we close our windows and seal up our homes against the cold.

Dr. Maria Neira, the United Nation's World Health Organization (WHO) warns, "Most radon-induced lung cancers occur from low and medium dose exposures in people's homes. Radon is the second most important cause of lung cancer after smoking in many countries."
  
According to Colorado State University Extension, "surveys show that homes in most Colorado counties have the potential for radon levels above EPA’s recommended action level."

Map of Radon Zones in Colorado

Red area is high risk (greater than 4pCi/L). Orange area is moderate risk (2 - 4pCi/L).  
There are no low risk areas in Colorado.

Keep your home safe, and your family healthy! Enroll with EnergySmart and an advisor will bring a test kit. If high levels are detected, Boulder County Public Health can advise for a radon-free home!


Read more about radon and understand the risks:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/consumer/09953.html

http://www.epa.gov/radon/states/colorado.html

http://www.who.int/ionizing_radiation/env/radon/en/index1.html

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/radiation/brochure/profile_radon.htm

Video: Radon the Invisible Killer - produced by the Colorado Department of Public Health, 2006



* There is a limited supply of the free radon test kits and they will be distributed on a first come, first served basis. The only thing the customer needs to do is leave it in their house for about 5 days, note the date the test began and ended on the test kit packaging, then simply drop the kit into the mail to be sent to the lab.  Even the postage is paid, so there is truly no cost to the homeowner for the kit.  The radon test kit is available for free to EnergySmart participants living in owner-occupied, single-family homes (the kits do not work well in multi-family buildings and rental units are not eligible). Participants must agree to have the lab release the results to Boulder County Public Health for statistical purposes, as well as for follow up (as to what steps to take next) by BCPH if the results show elevated radon levels.

written by Kate Taft