Free Radon Home Test Kits Available for Denver Residents from DDPHE

Published on January 10, 2022

To encourage Denver residents to test their homes for dangerous radon gas, Denver Department of Public Health & Environment (DDPHE) is providing free radon testing kits to residents during  National Radon Action Month. Seven hundred kits will be available for curbside pickup on a first come, first served basis on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022, and Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022, from 7-10:30 a.m. at Denver Animal Shelter (1241 W. Bayaud Ave. Denver, CO 80223).

Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Roughly 50% of homes in Colorado that test for radon have levels higher than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) recommended Radon Action Level of 4 pCi/L (picocurries per liter). Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States with roughly 500 people in Colorado and 21,000 people dying nationally after inhaling radon.

“Testing your home for radon is a simple step you can take to prevent dangerous exposure to a potentially deadly gas,” said DDPHE Executive Director Bob McDonald. “These free testing kits help keep our communities safe.”

If your home test results show high levels of radon, DDPHE environmental scientists recommend taking a second test. Once those results confirm elevated levels, the next step is to call a professional to help clear the air. Make sure you are hiring a certified contractor, by checking with the National Radon Proficiency Program. Some residents may quality for low-cost or no-cost assistance through Colorado’s Low-Income Radon Mitigation Assistance (LIRMA) Program. DDPHE recommends testing your home every two to three years.

For more information about radon in Denver and steps you can take to ensure you and your family are safe, visit Denvergov.org/Radon.