Published on January 06, 2022
Weld County, Colorado — The Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) urges residents to take action during National Radon Action Month this January by testing their homes for radon. Weld County residents can receive a free radon test kit (one per household, while supplies last). Test kits can be requested online at aelabs.com/weld.
Long-term radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the second leading cause of lung cancer among smokers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year.
Radon is an odorless, colorless, radioactive gas caused by the breakdown of uranium. Uranium is found mostly in rock formations but also can be found in soil and water. Radon typically moves up through the ground to the air above and into your home through the miniscule cracks in your home’s foundation or small spaces around utility pipes.
Because you can’t see or smell radon, people tend to downplay the health effects and ignore the possibility that there might be a silent killer in their homes. But about 50% of Colorado homes have radon levels above the EPA-recommended action level, and all 64 Colorado counties are rated at high risk for elevated radon.
Radon testing is easy, and it’s the only way to know if your health is at risk. Request a free test kit online at aelabs.com/weld. For more information on radon, radon testing, and radon mitigation call WCDPHE at (970) 400-2226 or go to the Weld County radon webpage.