Radon Roulette: Don’t bet the house

Colorado

In Colorado, the average home has a 52% chance of having radon levels above the EPA action level of 4.0 pCi/L.  In Vegas, the “house odds” on roulette are also about 52%.  If you were to bet your life savings or say, the contents of your health savings account, on red at the MGM in Vegas, would you call that a safe bet?  Of course not.  Well, the vast majority of Colorado homeowners are making that bet by default.  Take control of your radon risk.  Reach out to CDPHE or your local health department for free radon testing resources.

Low Income Assistance Programs

Many researchers show that lower income households are hesitant to test for radon—as these residents do not think they can afford a fix if they find a problem.  Luckily, the state of Colorado has your back.  The Low Income Radon Mitigation Assistance program (LIRMA) is designed for homeowners’ primary residence and the owner’s adjusted gross income.  At the time of publication, a three person HH in Adams or Denver county making $92,400 or less would qualify for assistance from the LIRMA program.

What about my state?

If you’ve read my blog about the EPA radon map, you know that it’s woefully outdated.  That’s why the Indoor Environments Association has compiled more contemporary data from radon labs across the country.  Click here to view your state’s radon report card.  Radon report cards measure radon levels across a state.  They also estimate annual cancer cases and deaths.  They give an economic impact of radon in that state.  Lastly they share what–if any–consumer protection laws are on the books.  Citations at the bottom of each card.

Please don’t use the report cards as a reason not to test.  Testing is recommended for all US citizens by the EPA, Surgeon General, and CDC.  These report cards are meant to help you understand the quality of contractors in your state as well as the laws surrounding radon in schools.

Time to Test

What are you waiting for?  Don’t bet against the house.  Get a radon test.