Colorado is known as Zone 1 when it comes to the presence of high radon gas levels. Nearly 73% (that is every 3 out of 4 homes) of all homes in Colorado have high levels of the gas.
- Radon has no color, odor or taste and doesn’t cause short-term symptoms of illness.
- Radon causes cancer.
- It’s estimated to cause about 21,000 lung cancer deaths per year in the United States.
- It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in the United States, according to the surgeon general.
- Only smoking causes more lung cancer deaths.
Why is it important to test for radon
According to the American Cancer Society, long-term exposure to radon will increase your risk of developing lung cancer. Radon is an invisible, odorless, tasteless substance that breaks down into tiny radioactive particles. Inhaled particles can cause great cellular damage to your lungs.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified radon as one of the nation’s leading causes of lung cancer deaths, second only to tobacco use.