Radon hot spots across Nevada.
January is National Radon Action Month, and University of Nevada, Reno Extension’s Nevada Radon Education Program is once again offering free short-term radon test kits to Nevadans, Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, while supplies last. Kits are available statewide at Extension offices and partner locations. Since the program began in 2007, more than 32,000 homes have been tested in Nevada.
Radon, a naturally occurring radioactive gas, is colorless, odorless and tasteless. It can accumulate in homes, increasing the risk of lung cancer. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates radon exposure causes 21,000 deaths annually, making it the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States. In Nevada, nearly 26% of homes tested have radon levels at or above the Environmental Protection Agency’s action level of 4.0 picocuries per liter. The World Health Organization recommends mitigation at even lower levels, as low as 2.7 pCi/L.
“This risk is 100 percent preventable through testing and mitigation,” said Nevada Radon Education Program Program Manager Chris Kelly. “Lung cancer claims more lives each year than any other cancer, affecting more women than breast cancer. Testing your home for radon is a simple, critical step to protect your family’s health.”
Kelly says using the free test kit is simple. The homeowner simply places the kit according to instructions in the home for three days, then mails it to the lab in the prepaid envelope. Results will arrive in a few weeks. If elevated levels are detected, homeowners should consult certified radon mitigation professionals, as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Kelly said Nevada's geology puts many homes at risk for elevated radon levels, particularly in northern Nevada, where 40 percent of homes tested during real estate transactions show elevated levels. Testing is less common in southern Nevada, highlighting the need for greater education and outreach efforts statewide. Thus, the program is offering free continuing education classes for realtors statewide to increase awareness and encourage radon testing during home inspections.
For more information on testing your home or business, or scheduling a realtors’ continuing education class, visit your local Extension office or the Nevada Radon Education Program website, or contact Kelly at chrisk@unr.edu. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should contact Paul Lessick, civil rights and compliance coordinator, at plessick@unr.edu or 702-257-5577 at least five days prior to the scheduled event with their needs or for more information.
Extension, in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, encourages all Nevadans to test their residences, schools, day cares and other buildings for radon. The Nevada Radon Education Program is a program of University of Nevada, Reno Extension and is funded through Grant Number K1-98T37923 from the Environmental Protection Agency.
