There’s some good news about a few policy changes relevant to radon in our community and state.
As you are aware, radon – a naturally occurring radioactive gas from the granite and shale in our soils that enters our homes – is a concern in our community. Over the course of several years, breathing radon can cause lung problems.
Over the last eight years, I have been a resource providing information and test kits to residents. Forty-nine percent of homes tested have had radon levels higher than the the Environmental Protection Agency’s standard of 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). The average in this county is 6.6 pCi/L.
Radon is the No. 1 one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers and the No. 2 cause of lung cancer for cigarette smokers (far beyond second-hand smoke). An estimated eight people die annually in our county from radon-induced lung cancer, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
For the last several years, in addition to providing resources to residents, I have been working with the city and county Building Departments on radon-resistant construction standards. The city of Durango has adopted radon control measures that became effective Jan. 1. Some builders have been doing it as a matter of course, but now it is expected from all builders. The county has been working to adopt similar requirements for new home construction by the end of this year.
Not only is it more efficient to incorporate radon-resistant modifications, it is less expensive to add them during home construction than to have to retrofit a home. Thank you, city and county officials for this important step to a healthier environment.
The second item you need to know about is the adoption of House Bill 16-1141, which becomes effective Jan. 1, 2017. Thanks to Sen. Ellen Roberts for carrying this through to completion and getting it signed into law April 25.
Not only does the bill address the need to continue to provide radon information and education to residents, business and others, but it also works to improve the installation of mitigation systems in existing buildings with radon problems. The bill will also set up a fund to provide radon mitigation assistance to low-income individuals.
In our county, there is no requirement to mitigate your home if you choose not to nor is there a requirement to have your home tested prior to selling it. Would it be a good idea? For the sake of your health, yes. Testing your home is certainly advised and, if levels are consistently greater than 4 pCi/L, mitigation by a certified mitigator is the best course.
In La Plata County, levels have ranged from 1-664 pCi/L, with a mean of 10 to 20 pCi/L. The higher the number, the higher the risk. For every 2.7pCi/L increase, risk of radon-induced lung cancer increases 16 percent.
Using common materials and straightforward techniques, builders can construct new homes that are resistant to radon entry at a minimal cost.
And finally, the Department of Health recently adopted Colorado Cancer Plan for 2016-2010. The plan is intended to be a roadmap to reduce cancer in Colorado over the next five years for health care providers and stakeholders. It ranks lung cancer as No. 3 as to incidence and No. 1 for mortality. Lung cancer mortality has decreased 24 percent overall in Colorado.
As always, please test your home at least every five years. To help with this, I continue to have test kits (at no cost thanks to an EPA grant) for you to screen your home.
wendy.rice@colostate.edu or 382-6461. Wendy Rice is the family and consumer science agent for the La Plata County Extension Office.
On the net
For More about radon
www.epa.gov/radon/model-standards-and-techniques-control-radon-new-residential-buildings
www.coepht.dphe.state.co.us
www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/DC_cancer_Colorado-Cancer-Plan-2016-2020.pdf
