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| Radon, the silent killer... |
- You cannot see, smell or taste radon and there are no noticeable symptoms you can detect from initial exposure, but it still may be a problem in your home! When you breathe air containing radon, you increase your risk of getting lung cancer. Also, if you're a smoker and your home has high radon levels, your risk of lung cancer is especially high.
- Radon is estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Lung cancer is the only health effect which has been definitively linked with radon exposure. Lung cancer can develop in a little as a few years (5-25) after exposure.
See also radon health risks at www.epa.gov/radon/healthrisks.html 
"Radon, second to cigarette smoke in lung cancer related deaths." - The Surgeon General has warned that, "radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States today" smokers being at a even higher risk of developing Radon-induced lung cancer. Other effects may include: gastrointestinal problems and stomach cancer.
Radon gas doesn't discriminate: it is equally dangerous to all people, regardless of weight, sex, race, or age. However, the very young, the elderly, and those with a weakened immune systems are particularly at risk from the effects of radon exposure.
Radon in Colorado:
- Most of Colorado contains high concentrations of radon
- All Colorado homes should be tested for radon
- Radon is unpredictable! Even if your neighbor has low levels, this does not mean you do not!
- Surveys show that homes in most Colorado counties have the potential for radon levels above EPA’s recommended action level. (see map below)
About this Map:
Sections 307 and 309 of the Indoor Radon Abatement Act of 1988 (IRAA) directed EPA to list and identify areas of the U.S. with the potential for elevated indoor radon levels. EPA's Map of Radon Zones assigns each of the 3,141 counties in the U.S. to one of three zones based on radon potential: | High counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) (red zones) | Highest Potential | | Moderate counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level between 2 and 4 pCi/L (orange zones) | Moderate Potential | | Low counties have a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L (yellow zones) | Low Potentia |
As you can see, radon in Colorado is indeed a problem, but one that can be easily fixed. How? Our next section will show you! Removal of Radon?
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