Date Published: 02/09/2020 [Source]
January is named Radon Awareness month.
Bonnie Albrecht, public health coordinator, presented a request to proclaim January as National Radon Action Month and support recommended radon practices and policies to reduce radon exposure.
Radon is an odorless and colorless radioactive gas that is a byproduct of uranium breakdown in soil. Long-term exposure to radon gas is the leading cause of lung cancer in people who do not smoke tobacco. Most Colorado soils contain consistently high levels of radon.
Gilpin County contains some of the highest levels of radon in Colorado counties, with 60.22% of samples registering dangerous levels. Mitigation in homes is usually a simple process but because this gas is impossible to detect without testing, many homeowners are unaware of this issue.
Commissioner Watson, now the acting chair, commented on the need for this proclamation as the numbers are, "Over fifty percent of homes." The motion was made for approval and all were in favor.