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Almost Half Pitkin County Homes Have Unsafe Radon Levels

Almost half of the homes in Pitkin County have unsafe levels of radon, according to the county’s environmental health department.

 

Radon is an odorless and colorless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium in soil.

Colorado’s geology is especially high in uranium. It breaks down into radon gas, which can get trapped in basements and crawl spaces of buildings.

Those radioactive particles can cause lung cancer, Pitkin County Environmental Health specialist Bryan Daugherty recommends getting homes tested.

“It’s something you can do to prevent lung cancer, so it's a really good idea to do," said Daugherty.

If levels are too high, the county can use equipment to suck radon out of houses.

Free test kits are available from Pitkin County Public Health at the Environmental Health Offices.