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Copy of Did Your Colorado Home Test High for Radon?

SUMMARY: Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers and claims the lives of 21,000 Americans each year. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Surgeon General urge Americans to protect their health by testing and taking action when radon levels are high. ​​

You can’t see, smell, or taste radon but it could be present at dangerous levels in your home. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Surgeon General urge Americans to protect their health by testing homes for radon, and taking acting when levels are above 4 pCi/L or higher.

Recent studies find that longer exposure to lower concentrations of radon can be more damaging than short exposures to extremely high concentrations. Therefore, a remediation system should be considered if you or your loved ones spend significant time in an environment where radon levels exceed 2.7 pCi/L. This includes homes where:


  • People work, live, exercise, or hobby in the basement.

  • Kids spend prolonged periods in the basement playing video games or watching movies.

  • Pets are kenneled in underground areas.

  • Every home with a smoker! The combination of radon gas and cigarette smoke creates a greater risk for lung cancer than either factor alone.

Radon Levels Vary Across the Nation — Levels of radon depend on the characteristics of rock and soil in the area. Colorado ranks 6th in the nation for highest radon levels. Find your county’s radon level using this interactive map (and read on to learn Five RAD Facts About Radon)!


How Can I Test My Home? — Do-it-yourself radon detection kits available in most hardware or home supply stores. You can also hire a professional to test radon levels in your home. Qualified contractors can be found through state radon offices, listed on the EPA's website.

My Home Tested Higher Than 2.7. Now What? — The good news is that radon reduction systems really work. Some systems can reduce radon levels by up to 99%! Lowering radon levels requires specific technical knowledge and special skills. Without the proper equipment or technical knowledge, you could inadvertently increase your home's radon level, or create other potential hazards and additional costs. Find a certified mitigator here.

How Much Do Mitigation Systems Cost? — The cost of lowering radon in homes range widely from $800 to $2,500, with an average nationwide cost of $1,200. Your costs may vary significantly depending on the size and design of your home, and which radon reduction methods are needed to reduce radon to a safe level.

— Five RAD Facts about Radon! —

RAD FACT 1: Radon is the heaviest known gas and is 9x heavier than air. It is present in the air nearly everywhere, and naturally occurs in some hot springs and other spring waters. Being one of the heaviest gases, radon tends to accumulate in low lying areas such as house basements.

RAD FACT 2: Living in a radon gas filled home with 4 pCi/L over 12 years is like smoking 10 packs of cigarettes per day, or working for 5 years in a uranium mine.

RAD FACT 3: By 1985, the infamous Watras Incident provided the impetus for government action. Stanley J. Watras was a construction engineer at Limerick nuclear power plant in Pottstown, Pennsylvania who set off radiation monitors installed to ensure the safety of the workers. The owner of the plant determined that Watras' skin and clothing were contaminated and were the cause of the radiation alarms! Testing revealed astronomically high radon levels at his home of 2,700 pCi/L, 700 times higher than the maximum level now considered safe. A regional testing program was conducted in 2,900 homes around the Pottstown area and 40% showed above average radon levels, although none as high as the Watras' home.

RAD FACT 4: Radon gas given off by soil or rock can enter buildings through cracks in floors or walls; construction joints; or gaps in foundations around pipes, wires, or pumps. Radon levels are usually highest in the basement or crawl space. This level is closest to the soil or rock that is the source of the radon.

RAD FACT 5: Thinking about selling or buying a home? Contact me with the subject line "Radon Info" and I'll send you a copy of the EPA’s Home Buyer’s and Seller’s Guide to Radon.



Did you like this post and learn something new? You may have friends who will too! Please share this post using the social media buttons below. Michelle Schwinghammer is a REALTOR®, Certified Negotiation Expert® and marketing expert who specializes in residential real estate across the greater Denver Metropolitan area.

Schwingstate, LLC, 2010 Youngsfield Street, Lakewood CO 80215 (303) 638-8711, michelle@schwingstate.com @schwingstate on Facebook, Instagram and Bluesky © Copyright 2026, Schwingstate, LLC, All rights reserved.

 
 
 

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