Public Health Assists Child Care Centers and Homeowners with Radon Testing January is National Radon Action Month

Jefferson County Public Health (JCPH), funded by a grant from the Colorado Department of Health and Environment (CDPHE), is providing free radon test kits to day care centers. In November 2015, the Colorado State Board of Health adopted changes in the Colorado child care regulations to require radon testing in all child care centers by May 1, 2017.  According to the Environmental Protection Agency, radon is second leading cause of lung cancer, and the first among nonsmokers. Radon is responsible for about 21,000 lung cancer deaths every year.  About 2,900 of these deaths occur among people who have never smoked.

According to CDPHE, in Colorado, all 64 counties are at high risk for radon.  Due to the gas’s unpredictable nature, two houses right next to each other may have very different radon levels.  Radon testing has been encouraged in private homes for many years to help protect children and families.  As many children spend extended time in day care settings, this new regulation will help protect against radon even further.

During the next several months, JCPH Environmental Health Services will provide test kits to the day care center facilities and instruct staff in their use. Test results will go directly to the health department for evaluation prior to being sent back to the facilities. The test results will be accompanied by radon mitigation information if needed along with suggestions for communicating results to families.  Actual mitigation is not required under the current child care center regulations, but may be required in the future.

In conjunction with National Radon Action Month, January 2017 has been declared as  Jefferson County Radon Action Month by the Board of Jefferson County Commissioners. Read proclamation. Gov. John Hickenlooper also proclaimed January National Radon Action Month in Colorado.

As such, in addition to providing radon test kits to day care centers, throughout the month of January, JCPH will be providing free radon test kits and analysis for homeowners – limited availability, 1 per family please while supplies last.. Kits can be picked up at JCPH, 645 Parfet Street in Lakewood. Please call (303) 271-5700 to let us know you will be coming and to check on availability. When supply of free kits run out, radon test kits will be available for purchase at $10.00 each.

For more information:

• Contact Craig Sanders, JCPH Environmental Health Services Supervisor at 303 271-5759 or csanders@jeffco.us.
• Rules and regulations governing health and sanitation in child care facilities
• Jefferson County Public Health Radon 
• Environmental Protection Agency Radon