Radon Testing

What is radon?

Radon is a class 'A' carcinogen. Studies show that long-term exposure to elevated levels has been linked to radon-induced lung cancer. About half of all homes tested in Fort Collins have radon levels above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L. Learn more about Radon levels in Fort Collins by visiting the Fort Collins Radon Home Page and Fort Collins Radon resources library.

why is radon a concern?

Radon is a class 'A' carcinogen (pollutants with adequate human data indicating that it causes cancer in people). Polonium-218 and Polonium-214 are alpha-emitting radon decay products that are very effective at causing DNA damage. Both have been identified as the primary cause of radon-induced lung cancer.

Your chances of getting radon-induced lung cancer depends on how much radon is in your home, the amount of time you are exposed to it, and whether you are a smoker. Long-term radon exposure is the leading cause of lung cancer in individuals who have never smoked. There were an estimated 21,000 deaths in the U.S in 2018 due to radon-induced lung cancer.

The Surgeon General has warned that radon is the 2nd leading cause of lung cancer in the US… Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.

What do my radon test results mean?

According to the EPA: "People should not have long-term exposure to indoor radon levels of 4.0 pCi/L or more.  4.0 pCi/L of radon is an economic guidance rather than a level below which no risks exists".  It is up to you to determine what level of radon is acceptable in your home.  For reference:

• 4.0 pCi/L EPA threshold for mitigation

• 2.7 pCi/L World Health Organization threshold for mitigation

• 2.0 pCi/L Target level for radon mitigation repairs

• 0.4 pCi/L Average radon level in outdoor air