For those interested in in-depth learning about radon measurement and mitigation in Colorado, here is a summary of the introduction to Measuring and Mitigating Radon in Colorado published by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.

Radon is a naturally occurring gas that is derived primarily from the breakdown of natural deposits of Uranium 238. This is found in many geological formations, including the granite that forms the Rocky Mountains and nearby plains.

As a chemically inert gas, radon can be drawn into buildings due to naturally occurring vacuums caused by natural thermal stack effects, building exhaust systems, or episodic weather conditions. This can cause indoor radon levels to increase, posing significant health risks, including lung cancer, for many individuals. Radon exposure poses an unacceptable risk which can easily be averted by building and radon professionals.

All structures in Colorado have the potential for elevated indoor radon levels, regardless of the type of building – including homes, office buildings, schools, and childcare facilities. The only way to know for sure is to have the building tested for radon.

Radon is typically mitigated by employing an active radon system equipped with a fan that extracts radon-laden soil gases from beneath the building, then exhausting it to a safe location outdoors. In Colorado, there are a number of construction features not necessarily found elsewhere in the country, such as perimeter drains, that can be very effectively used for radon mitigation.

Attempting to seal out radon by simply closing the openings is not effective as a stand-alone technique unless combined with an approach where a vacuum is mechanically applied to the subgrade that extracts the radon gas (such as in a radon mitigation system).

Click here to read the full guide