Jeffco Public Health News Release: National Radon Action Month

January 4, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Ashley Moore
Public Information Manager
303-239-7137
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Nikki Work
Public Engagement Coordinator, Media Lead
303-239-7016
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County and municipal agencies partner to 
spread awareness about radon testing

Jefferson County, Colo. — This January in Jefferson County, nine government agencies and boards have come together to recognize the significant effect radon gas can have on our health and in our homes.

The Jefferson County Board of Health, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, Cities of Lakewood, Golden, Arvada, Wheat Ridge and Edgewater and the Towns of Morrison and Mountain View have all either issued or plan to issue a proclamation recognizing January as National Radon Action Month. In addition, Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) will be offering free radon test kits to Jefferson County residents, one per address and on a first come-first served basis, at our location in Lakewood at 645 Parfet Street during the month of January.

Radon is a dangerous and naturally occurring radioactive gas that you cannot smell, taste or see. People are exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that enters homes and other buildings through cracks and gaps in foundations. Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and a top environmental cause of cancer nationwide. 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 are grateful to the county, cities and towns around our area for helping us recognize the importance of radon testing and mitigation in Jefferson County,” said Mitchell Brown, Environmental Health Supervisor at Jefferson County Public Health. “We hope that, in part, because of their help we can help more people across the county assess and lessen their risk of radon exposure.”

In addition to providing the free test kits, JCPH 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. Testing your home, and installing proper air quality controls if high levels of radon exist, is an effective way to prevent the harmful effects radon can have on you and your family. After January and throughout the remainder of 2019, radon test kits will be available for purchase at JCPH for $10 each.

If you have questions about radon and your home’s risk, please visit www.jeffco.us/2337/Radon to see frequently asked questions and helpful information.

About Jefferson County Public Health
Public health is what we as a society do collectively to prevent illness and premature death and promote health in our neighborhoods and communities. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is committed to promoting and protecting health across the lifespan through prevention, education and partnerships for all people. To learn more about JCPH, visit  www.jeffco.us/public-health . You can also follow JCPH on Twitter @JeffcoPH, Instagram @JeffcoPH and Facebook @jeffcopublichealth.

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Test Your Home for Radon this January

Jefferson County, Colo. — January is National Radon Action Month, and Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is encouraging residents to protect themselves and loved ones from dangerous radon gas by testing their homes. To help, JCPH is offering free radon test kits all month long, while supplies last, one per address and on a first come-first served basis, at our location in Lakewood at 645 Parfet Street.

Radon is a dangerous and naturally-occurring radioactive gas that you cannot smell, taste or see. People are exposed to radon primarily from breathing radon in air that enters homes and other buildings through cracks and gaps in foundations.

Radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and a top environmental cause of cancer nationwide. 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.

“Any home can have high levels of radon, whether it’s new or old, large or small – that’s why it’s so important to test,” said Mitch Brown, Environmental Health Supervisor at JCPH. “Once you test, there are steps you can take to make your home healthier and safer, and that’s really our end goal. We want to reduce the negative effects radon has on the Jeffco community.”

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 2-3 years. 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 4 picocuries per liter, you may still want to consider mitigation.

In addition to providing the free test kits, JCPH 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. 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.

Testing your home, and installing proper air quality controls if high levels of radon exist, is an effective way to prevent the harmful effects radon can have on you and your family. After January and throughout the remainder of 2019, radon test kits will be available for purchase at JCPH for $10 each.

If you have questions about radon and your home’s risk, please visit www.jeffco.us/2337/Radon to see frequently asked questions and helpful information.

About Jefferson County Public Health

Public health is what we as a society do collectively to prevent illness and premature death and promote health in our neighborhoods and communities. Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH) is a nationally accredited health department committed to promoting and protecting health across the lifespan for all people through prevention, education and partnerships. To learn more about JCPH visit www.jeffco.us/public-health . You can also follow JCPH on Twitter @JeffcoPH, Instagram @JeffcoPH and Facebook @jeffcopublichealth.

Clear Creek County Sheriff's Office
2 hrs ago

FREE RADON TESTING KITS FROM CLEAR CREEK COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH - WHILE SUPPLIES LAST!

Did you know that approximately half of the homes in Colorado exceed the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommended action level for radon gas? Radon a is colorless, odorless and tasteless gas that escapes from uranium rich rocks and soil beneath our homes. Radon gas can become trapped indoors and is currently the leading cause of lung cancer for non-smokers. The US EPA and Surgeon General recommend testing your home for radon. If you are interested in checking the radon levels in your home, Clear Creek County Environmental Health is offering FREE Radon Testing Kits while supplies last! See the flyer for details.