In Colorado Springs, you may often hear about radon testing and why homes should be tested. The number one reason to undergo radon testing in Colorado is to protect your health. One of the leading causes of cancer in the United States is radon. According to estimates, every year, about 21,000 people in the country die due to lung cancer. Five hundred of these cases are from Colorado. Radon is believed to be the reason behind these deaths. According to various surveys, all Colorado counties have high levels of radon, particularly in Colorado Springs and El Paso counties.
What Is Radon?
Radon owes its origin to Uranium, a naturally occurring radioactive metal found in abundance in the West.
It is a colorless, odorless, radioactive, inert gas that moves through the soil and gets trapped inside a house, making its way inside a house through tiny cracks, slab joints, crawl spaces, dirt floors, sump pits, or block walls. Sometimes, it enters a house through well water. It is sucked into the house due to the difference in air pressure.
Radon decays swiftly, releasing tiny radioactive particles that can cause damage to the cells lining the lungs. According to several organizations, including the American Lung Association and the Environmental Protection Agency, radon is harmful to health.
Why Should Houses in Colorado Be Tested for Radon?
The average radon levels in all the counties of Colorado are over four picocuries per liter (pCi/L). 4 pCi/L is the level at which the Environmental Protection Agency recommends radon mitigation.
Factors Affecting The Presence Of Radon Inside A Household
The presence of radon inside a house depends on different factors:
● Soil type
● Presence of moisture in the soil
● Air pressure
● The heating and ventilation system in a house
● Movement of air
● Movement of groundwater
● The lifestyle of the occupants of a house
Radon Testing Kits
Radon testing is the only way to determine if the levels of radon inside a house are above permissible limits. Colorado residents can also obtain free radon test kits.
Buy one from home improvement and hardware stores or order them online or through mail-order companies. The cost of a radon test kit ranges from $10 to $50. While buying a radon test kit, pick one that has the stamp of approval from the National Radon Proficiency Program.