Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality pollutants include radon, mold, asbestos, lead, carbon monoxide, secondhand smoke and several other types of pollutants.
Radon
What is Radon?
Radon is a natural radioactive gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil, water, and rocks. It enters your home through cracks in the foundation and can contaminate every room in your house.
Why Should I be Worried About Radon in My Home?
Radon is the #1 leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. It is considered a Group A carcinogen, which is the same group tobacco is listed under. In the United States, over 20,000 people die every year from lung cancer caused by radon. It is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas, meaning it could be in your home without you even knowing.
Living in Colorado, your risk of radon exposure is higher than it is for most of the country. The average radon level in homes in the United States is 1.3 pCi/L, while the average level of radon in Colorado homes is 6.4 pCi/L. To put that in perspective, being exposed to 6 pCi/L of radon for one day is the equivalent of smoking 12 cigarettes! No level of radon is safe to be exposed to, but the EPA recommends doing radon mitigation if your home has 4.0 pCi/L or higher of radon.
Click here for more information about radon in Colorado.
Click here for more radon information from the EPA.
How Can I Test My Home For Radon?
The Grand County Environmental Health Department has FREE radon tests kits for you to use. These short-term tests run for 3-7 days, and give you a snapshot of what your radon exposure is in your home. To get a free test kit, go to your local public library or email EHinfo@co.grand.co.us or give us a call at 970-725-3288 for more information on how to get a radon test kit.
If the results of your short-term test indicate high levels of radon in your home, please reach out to a certified and licensed radon testing and mitigation contractor. They will be able to do more in-depth testing and can recommend radon mitigation techniques to lower the radon levels in your home.
Licensed radon contractors that do work in Grand County
You can search for radon contractor licenses and get more information about radon testing and mitigation using this link.
Low Income Assistance & Real Estate Transactions
Colorado is one of the few states that provides radon mitigation assistance for low income residents. You can find more information and apply for financial assistance using this link.
Radon is a hazard listed under Section N, the Environmental Conditions portion of the Colorado Seller's Property Disclosure Form. This means that if radon is known by the seller to exist or have ever existed in the home, that information must be disclosed. For more information about radon in relation to real estate transactions, you can view CDPHE's guide here.
Mold
Mold grows in locations with high moisture like bathrooms and kitchens. There are many different kinds of mold that can cause respiratory issues, especially in people with allergies and asthma. The best way to prevent mold growth in your home is to reduce moisture. Running fans while showering and cooking reduces the amount of moisture lingering on surfaces. Leaking pipes should be repaired and cracks in the interior or exterior of your home should be sealed as soon as possible.
Click here for more information from the EPA about mold.
The department receives several complaints a year in regards to mold in rental properties. Unfortunately the department has no jurisdiction in residential homes or apartments. You may want to seek legal advice for renters legal advice for renters in these cases.