Radon Analysis and Mitigation Services

Radon is a cancer-causing radioactive gas. You cannot see, smell or taste radon, but it may be a problem in your home. The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today. If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, you’re at high risk for developing lung cancer. Some scientific studies of radon exposure indicate that children may be more sensitive to radon. This may be due to their higher respiration rate and their rapidly dividing cells, which may be more vulnerable to radiation damage.

Radon is a soil gas that typically moves up through the ground to the air above. Air pressure inside a home is usually lower than pressure in the soil around the home’s foundation. Homes draw radon in through dirt floors, hollow-block walls, cracks in the foundation floor and walls, and openings around floor drains, pipes and sump pumps. Any home may have a radon problem, including new, old, well-sealed or drafty homes.

Almost all scientists agree that radon is a health hazard to humans. However, the exact risk calculation and the action level usually raise debate. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declared radon to be a “Class A Carcinogen”, proven to cause lung cancer in humans. Radioactive solid particles are created as the radon gas decays. These particles become trapped in your lungs, and as the particles break down further, they release small bursts of energy that can damage lung tissue and lead to lung cancer. Although not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer, the dangers are significant.

The only way to know if your home has elevated radon levels is to conduct a radon test. Testing kits are available for purchase, or you can hire a professional to perform the test. If your radon levels are above the EPA's recommended action level of 4 pCi/L, you should contact a certified radon mitigation professional to address the issue.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and environment offers home test kits free of charge: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/hm/radon.

You may also choose to opt for a continuous radon monitor that you leave in your home. AirThings makes a reliable monitor and offers 10% to new customers: https://www.airthings.com/