Weld County Health Department offers free radon test kits to residents

Published on January 09, 2025

Radon periodic table symbol with radioactive warning symbol and home silhouette seen through a magnifying glass.

January is Radon Action Month, and the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment (WCDPHE) is once again encouraging residents to test their homes for radon by offering free short-term radon test kits to Weld County households while supplies last.

As the winter season sets in and temperatures drop, many people spend more time indoors, seeking warmth and comfort. However, sealed homes can inadvertently trap radon, a radioactive gas, causing radon to rise to potentially harmful levels. Known as the "thermal stack effect," the warm air rising inside homes pulls more radon from the surrounding soil, increasing indoor concentrations. Radon is colorless and odorless, making it impossible to detect without testing.

Radon is a natural byproduct of uranium decay, common in the soil and rock beneath homes. Colorado’s geology places the state among the most at-risk in the region for elevated radon levels, with nearly 50% of homes estimated to exceed safe limits. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, prolonged radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, responsible for over 20,000 deaths annually.

"Testing your home for radon is simple, and it could save your life," said Dan Joseph, WCDPHE Director of Environmental Health Services. "Winter is the perfect time to test because homes are typically sealed against the cold, providing the most accurate results for radon levels."

Residents can find out how to request a short-term radon test kit and learn more about radon health impacts, and mitigation strategies by visiting www.weld.gov/go/radon.