What state has the highest level of radon?
The uranium content of Hawaiian rocks is low, and most rocks near the surface are porous, allowing for air infiltration to dilute radon. Alaska has the highest radon levels of 10.7 pCi/L. Homeowners in Alaska are encouraged to test for radon every two years.
What states have radon?
Virginia has a high concentration of Radon. High radon areas in the U.S. tend to be in the northern section of the country due to the types of soils found there. States with high concentrations of radon include Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Maine, Minnesota, Illinois, Kansas, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
Is RADON a problem in Colorado Springs?
Unfortunately, radon has a tendency to collect in homes in Colorado Springs and elsewhere in our state. As it is heavier than the usual air we breathe, radon won’t leave your home unless you have a Radon Mitigation System installed. Colorado Springs, like the whole county of El Paso, has average indoor radon levels of 4.9 to 9 pCi/L. This is almost double the 4.0 pCi/l “level for action” from the EPA in which they strongly recommend homeowners install Radon Mitigation Systems.
What is an acceptable level of radon?
The EPA does not advise individuals to consider taking action until radon levels are 2 pCi/L or greater. Therefore, one may interpret that to mean that an acceptable radon level is anything under a 2 pCi/L, especially for longer term exposure. Anything more than a 4 pCi/L should definitely be fixed, according to the EPA.
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How common is radon in homes in Colorado?
Radon in Colorado High radon levels have been found in all 50 states and in all parts of Colorado. In Colorado, about half the homes have radon levels higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommended action level of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L): Colorado radon zones.
Do all houses in Colorado have radon?
Radon levels are high in Colorado Data collected by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment ( CDPHE ) indicates that approximately 50% of homes in Colorado have radon levels higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) recommended action level of 4 picocuries per liter of air ( pCi/L ).
How much does a radon mitigation system cost in Colorado Springs?
about $1,000 - $2,000Reducing radon levels A mitigation system in Colorado usually costs about $1,000 - $2,000 unless difficult design problems are encountered. You might be able to do sub-slab depressurization yourself if you have good handyman skills, including electrical wiring skills.
Why is radon so high in Colorado?
Every single Colorado county is at a high risk for radon gas. "It's largely because radon is a byproduct of the decay of uranium and it exists in our soil everywhere because we live in a highly mineralized state," said Warren Smith, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
What states have the most radon?
Here are the 10 US States with the highest average Radon levels:Alaska (10.7)South Dakota (9.6)Pennsylvania (8.6)Ohio (7.8)Washington (7.5)Kentucky (7.4)Montana (7.4)Idaho (7.3)More items...•
What are the symptoms of radon?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning.Persistent cough.Hoarseness.Wheezing.Shortness of breath.Coughing up blood.Chest pain.Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.Loss of appetite.More items...
How accurate is a 48 hour radon test?
University of Calgary. "Short-term radon test kits are not effective in measuring radon gas exposure: Findings show radon tests of less than 90 days are imprecise up to 99 percent of the time." ScienceDaily.
Does Colorado require radon mitigation?
Colorado now requires a licensed professional for radon measurement or radon mitigation services. That requirement took effect on July 1. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in the soil that can then enter homes.
How much does a radon test cost in Colorado?
Radon Testing Costs Getting a radon test in the Denver / Front Range area can be done in one of several ways. Home Radon Test kits cost between $20 and $50. An in-home professional radon test can be done by a certified professional with a sophisticated radon detector for $100 to $250.
Where is radon most commonly found in homes?
It sometimes gets concentrated in homes built on soil with natural uranium deposits. It 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.
Where is radon most commonly found?
Radon is present outdoors and is normally found at very low levels in outdoor air and in surface water, such as rivers and lakes. It can be found at higher levels in the air in houses and other buildings, as well as in water from underground sources, such as private well water.
How do you mitigate radon?
Other Ways to Reduce RadonIncrease air flow in your house by opening windows and using fans and vents to circulate air. ... Seal cracks in floors and walls with plaster, caulk, or other materials designed for this purpose.
Does Colorado require radon testing?
Low cost radon test kits are available through the state and some counties. Only one of the fastest growing counties in Colorado requires new homes to be built with a system to mitigate a cancer causing gas.
Where is radon in Colorado?
Radon in Colorado is generated by the radioactive decay of radium, which is present in uranium-bearing soils found throughout the Rocky Mountains and the eastern plains. All homes, regardless of construction type or style, can have elevated radon levels.
Is radon disclosure required in Colorado?
The Environmental Conditions portion of the Colorado Seller's Property Disclosure Form specifically lists radon as a hazard that must be disclosed if known by the seller to exist or ever have existed. This is true even if previous test results were less than 4.0 pCi/L. Sellers should provide copies of any test results.
What is radon element?
radon (Rn), chemical element, a heavy radioactive gas of Group 18 (noble gases) of the periodic table, generated by the radioactive decay of radium. (Radon was originally called radium emanation.) Radon is a colourless gas, 7.5 times heavier than air and more than 100 times heavier than hydrogen.
What is Radon?
Radon is a naturally occurring, inert, odorless, colorless, radioactive gas. It is formed by the radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. So, without a test, there is no way to know if your home has it.
How to mitigate radon in Colorado?
The most popular method here along the front range of Colorado is active soil depressurization (ASD).
How do active and passive devices differ?
Active devices differ from passive in that they require electrical power to operate. These devices record radon and related products continuously. Continuous devices are more expensive than their passive counterparts and require training but offer a more reliable reading.
Where is radon testing done in Colorado?
Radon is prevalent in the entire State of Colorado but especially high right here in Colorado Springs and El Paso County.
Is radon a real estate issue in Colorado?
Radon in Colorado is an important topic for both home buyers and sellers to understand. While there are differing opinions as to the effects of radon, in a real estate transaction the only opinion that really matters is that of the potential home buyer.
What do you do if your home tests high for radon?
If an initial short-term test registers 4 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) or higher, the EPA recommends doing a second radon test. A long-term test will give you the most accurate information, but a short-term test is acceptable if you need the results quickly, such as for a real estate transaction, or your first levels registered 8 pCi/L or higher. If a second test registers above 4 pCi/L, consider taking steps to reduce radon levels in your home, the EPA cautions.
What is the radon level in Colorado?
Radon Risks in Colorado. Colorado is known as Zone 1 when it comes to the presence of high radon gas levels. Nearly 73% (that is every 3 out of 4 homes) of all homes in Colorado have high levels of the gas. The EPA recommended action level is 4 pCi (picocuries) of radon per one liter of air, meaning that any level higher than ...
Radon Concentrations in the United States
What other states in the U.S. are prone to high radon gas levels? Check out this map of radon concentrations in the United States. You can see that areas shaded with a darker red have the highest radon gas concentrations. In general, radon levels seem to increase when in the central United States, and even more so when you go further north.
Worldwide Radon Concentrations
What about radon gas in other countries in the world? It can be difficult to find this information, even with thousands of online resources. You can look at this map of worldwide radon concentrations from 2007 for a general idea, though. Many of the countries depicted are missing data, however, it’s clear that the U.S.
Other Countries with high radon levels
Our hope is that more and more countries are made aware of radon’s dangers so they can also be proactive in removing it from homes, offices, and other indoor areas. As public awareness increases, so will public funding and programs aiming to lessen the impact of radon on our health and daily lives.
Overview & Radon Maps
Every county in the State of Colorado is classified as Zone 1. Because radon levels have the potential to be high nearly everywhere in the world, the International Radon Council recommends testing your home for radon no matter where you live.
Zone 1
Average indoor radon level potential is likely to be 4.0 pCi/L or greater.
Zone 2
Average indoor radon level potential is likely to be between 2.0 to 4.0 pCi/L.
Zone 3
Average indoor radon level potential is likely to be less than 2.0 pCi/L.
Does SWAT Environmental have radon mitigation?from swat-radon.com
Since 1988, SWAT Environmental has installed hundreds of thousands of radon mitigation systems nationwide. We are committed to protecting you from radon exposure in homes and workplaces everywhere.
Is radon in Colorado?from swat-radon.com
Radon testing and radon mitigation have become more prevalent in the past few years due increased awareness of the impact radon gas has on the air we breathe in our homes and workplaces. Homeowners, realtors, builders and municipalities are issuing guidelines and regulations across the country encouraging testing and mitigation of radon in homes and businesses in Colorado.
What is radon mitigation?
Radon mitigation is two-fold. First, it involves reducing the current levels of radon gas in your home or place of business. Second, you need a radon mitigation system in place that will capture radon from the ground and direct it into the air so that it never has a chance to enter your home.
Why is it important to reduce radon levels in your home?
It’s crucial to reduce high radon levels in your home because of the potential risks that it poses. Radon is a very small, single-atom element, so it is capable of penetrating practically any substance, including building materials as well as the human body. It is a known cause of cancer in adults, children and animals.#N##N#Radon gas is created in the decay process of radium, thorium, and uranium, all of which are found in natural elements like ground water, rocks and soil. Therefore, radon is present in the air outside in small amounts. The goal of any radon mitigation team is to reduce the radon levels in your home to that of the outside air or below.#N#Colorado Springs Radon Mitigation specializes in relieving some of our customers’ worst fears by reducing the amount of radon in their homes with radon mitigation services, including mitigation system installations.
How long does it take to install radon mitigation?
Professional installation of a radon mitigation system typically takes less than a day, and these systems can run for 10 years or more with little to no maintenance, so upkeep is practically non-existent.
Is radon a problem in Colorado Springs?
Children are at higher risk than adults for developing lung cancer as well as leukemia due to radon exposure. This is true whether or not parents realized radon was a problem in their homes. Therefore , many Colorado Springs homeowners choose to install a radon system in their new home or upon purchasing an existing home.
Does Colorado Springs have radon testing?
Radon testing Colorado Springs has learned a few things about radon testing over the years , and we gladly pass these tips and tricks along to customers who may want to do their own testing before calling a professional.
Can you do radon testing yourself?
If you choose do-it-yourself radon testing, there are a lot of things that can go wrong, simply due to inexperience. By leaving the testing to a professional like Colorado Springs Radon Mitigation, you can be assured that the results are accurate since we literally do radon testing every single day.
Is radon a gas?
It is a known cause of cancer in adults, children and animals. Radon gas is created in the decay process of radium, thorium, and uranium, all of which are found in natural elements like ground water, rocks and soil. Therefore, radon is present in the air outside in small amounts.
What is radon gas?
Blog, Uncategorized. Radon is an odorless, colorless, and radioactive gas that forms through the natural breaking down of uranium in soil, water and rocks. The gas escapes from the ground through cracks and other holes in your home’s foundation.
Why is radon in Colorado so high?
Reasons for high radon levels in the above Colorado counties. As said earlier, radon is naturally occurring. It is a byproduct of decomposing uranium, a metal commonly found in the ground across many areas of Colorado, mostly in trace amounts. The presence of this metal in most of the counties is the sole reason for high recorded levels ...
Why is radon gas high in winter?
During the cold months, the potential for high radon gas levels reaches its maximum because windows and doors are locked tight to keep out the winter’s chill. Make sure to test your house for radon levels especially in this season and have mitigation done if the levels are above the acceptable level.
What is the EPA recommended action level for radon?
The EPA recommended action level is 4 pCi (picocuries) of radon per one liter of air, meaning that any level higher than that requires mitigation. Here are several counties in Colorado with the highest radon levels and reasons why they have plenty of it;
Does radon gas build up in your home?
Your home traps the gas and with time, it builds up in plenty and can have adverse effects on those breathing it. Radon gas is said to decay into radioactive particles that can get trapped in the lungs leading to lung tissue damage and potential lung cancer.
Is Pikes Peak granite radon?
The Pikes Peak granite has unusually large concentrations of uranium. However, it is hardly enough to be mined and therefore it being left there contributes largely to the heavy presence of radon gas in the area.
How do you know if you have radon in your home?
Because radon is odorless and invisible, the only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test. Radon seeps through the soil, and moves into the air and into homes through cracks ...
What is the radon zone in El Paso County?
Radon levels vary greatly from home to home. El Paso County and the state of Colorado are in "Zone 1" according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This means the state and county have a potential for high radon levels.
How to contact Colorado Radon Office?
You can contact the Colorado Radon Office at (800) 846-3986 for names of qualified or state certified contractors. You can also access Colorado Department of Public Health's information of certified contractors here. There are several proven ways to reduce radon in your home.
What happens if you smoke and your home has high radon levels?
If you smoke and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
How to reduce radon in Colorado?
There are several proven ways to reduce radon in your home. The vent pipe system and fan is the most used. This method pulls radon from beneath the house and vents it to the outside. A mitigation system in Colorado usually costs about $800-$1,200 unless difficult design problems are encountered.
How much can radon be reduced?
Radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels by up to 99 percent. Radon reduction systems require knowledge and special skills to design.
What to do if your building has not been tested for radon?
If your building has not been tested for radon, ask the owner to test, or test your own apartment or house. If your test shows high radon levels, notify the building owner of the test results. Discuss the need for additional testing and repairs.
Your qualified company for radon services in Colorado Springs
Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless, radioactive gas that can pose a serious health risk at high levels. Colorado Springs is in "Zone 1" with a potential for high radon levels (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). Don't wait to find out if you've got a radon problem in your home.
Causes of Radon in Colorado Springs, CO Homes
Radon comes from the natural breakdown of uranium found in soils, rock, and water in Colorado and every state in the U.S. Radon can seep through the soil, into the air, and through cracks and openings in home foundations. Homes trap radon in living spaces, where it may build up to dangerous levels.
Radon Testing in Colorado Springs
The American Lung Association recommends that all homes be tested for radon. This is especially important in Colorado Springs, where the U.S. EPA has identified a likelihood of high radon levels. We typically use a continuous radon monitor to measure radon levels for 48 hours.
Colorado Springs Radon Mitigation Systems & Inspections
If high radon levels are found in your home, you’ll need to install a radon mitigation system to reduce the radon to the recommended level that’s safe for you and your family. We’ll design and install a customized radon mitigation system in your home. Radon reduction systems need occasional maintenance.
Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Colorado Springs Homes
Radon isn’t the only air pollutant that can cause health problems in Colorado Springs homes. Pollen, pet dander, mold spores, and other contaminants can cause health issues, especially if you or your family members have asthma, respiratory issues, or allergies.
Get a radon test or free estimate from your local Colorado Springs contractor
If you are concerned about radon or just want to remove other airborne contaminants in your home, contact Rocky Mtn Radon & Environmental today for your free estimate! We proudly serve Colorado homeowners in Colorado Springs and nearby.
