Public Service Announcement
City of Aspen and Pitkin County offering free radon tests
January is national radon action month
Aspen, CO - January has been designated National Radon Action Month. The city of Aspen in partnership with Pitkin County is taking proactive steps to address the potential threat of radon gas in local homes.
To encourage residents to safeguard their homes and loved ones, the city and county are offering free radon test kits. Residents can pick up a free radon test kit during regular business hours at City Hall in the community development office on the first floor located at 427 Rio Grande Place or at the Pitkin County administrative building at 530 East Main St. in suite 205.
“Testing is the only way to determine whether your home is at risk, and mitigation is both effective and affordable,” said Bryan Daugherty, Pitkin County’s environmental health specialist.
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas resulting from the decay of uranium found in rocks and soils, can seep into homes through cracks in floors, posing serious health risks.
About 50% of homes in Colorado have been found to have high radon levels, and due to the geological conditions in the state, homes here tend to exhibit higher radon levels than the national average.
Radon is responsible for more than 20,000 lung cancer deaths in the United States each year and is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers. When radon gas decays into radioactive particles, inhalation of these particles can damage DNA in sensitive lung cells, leading to the development of cancer.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for residents to take this important step in protecting their health and their families,” said Natalie Tsevdos, the city’s environmental health administrator. “Providing free test kits is part of our commitment to ensuring a safe and healthy community.”
For more information go to aspen.gov/1528/Air-Quality-Programs.
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For more information please contact:
Natalie Tsevdos, City of Aspen environmental health administrator
Phone: (970) 920-5075
Email: natalie.tsevdos@aspen.gov
Bryan Daugherty, Pitkin County environmental health specialist
Phone: (970) 319-3799
Email: bryan.daugherty@pitkincounty.com